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  I SAMUEL 26:21
  by Chuck Smith
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Summary: Chuck Smith teaches that true folly is failing to submit one's
life to God, and that this can happen even with natural advantages and
special opportunities.

Topics: "Folly", "Submission to God"
Scripture References: 1 Samuel 9:2, 1 Samuel 10:2, 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:26, 1 Samuel 13:3, 1 Samuel 13:9, 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 18:7-8, 1 Samuel 28:7, Proverbs 3:5-6

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DESCRIPTION
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Chuck Smith explores the life of Saul, emphasizing how despite his
physical advantages and opportunities to lead God's people, he
ultimately played the fool by failing to submit fully to God. Saul's
military pride, disobedience, and jealousy led him to make foolish
decisions, including seeking counsel from a witch. The sermon teaches
that true folly lies in resisting God's call and not yielding one's life
completely to Him, as even those with great potential can fall into
foolishness without divine guidance. Smith warns that pride and
disobedience can lead to a life of regret and separation from God.

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CONTENT
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"PLAYING THE FOOL"

I. A LOOK AT THE MAN.

A. 9:2 - A choice young man and goodly.

1. Tremendous physique.

2. Looks aren't everything.

B. Good family life - 9:5.

C. Humble - 9:21.

II. OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME TO HIM.

A. Opportunity to reign over God's people - 10:2.

B. Spirit of God will come upon you - 10:6.

C. Surrounded by band of men whose hearts God had touched - 10:26.

III. MANIFESTATIONS OF FOLLY.

A. Military pride - 13:2, conscripted army.

1. Jonathan smote the Philistines with a great slaughter and Saul

blew the trumpet in Israel -13:3.

B. Offering sacrifice at Gilgal - 13:9.

1. Samuel said, "You have done foolishly."

C. His foolish vow - 14:24.

D. Disobedience in failure to totally annihilate Amalakites.

E. Jealousy of David - 18:7-8.

F. Endeavor to kill David.

G. Turning to witch for counsel - 28:7.

IV. WHAT WAS TRUE FOLLY?

A. Failure to totally submit his life to God.

1. Any man who does not totally yield his life to God is playing the
fool.

V. WHAT DOES THIS STORY TEACH US?

A. A man can have all kinds of natural advantages and still play the
fool.

B. A man may be given special opportunities and still end up playing the
fool.

C. Any man is foolish when he tries to hide from the call of God.

1. Lets pride master him.

2. Endeavors a service for God without being called.

3. Makes foolish vows.

4. Disobeys God's Word.

5. Allows jealousy to master him.

6. Turns against his godly friends.

7. Seeks advice from spirit world.

D. A man is a fool when he does not yield his life completely to God.

1. You're a fool if you think you know what's better for your life

than God.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/i-samuel-2621/
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