King Saul Did Not Heed Solomon's Warning (Proverbs 14:12)
Introduction:
1. In Proverbs 14:12, Solomon issued a serious warning -- he showed that man gets himself into trouble when he is left to his own devices. 2. This matter must be important because the Bible addresses it many times. a. This statement is repeated in Proverbs 16:25. b. (Deuteronomy 12:8) Moses warned the Israelites against doing what was right in their eyes. c. When the judges ruled Israel, the people doing what was right in their own eyes had become a common problem (Judges 17:6; 21:25). 3. In our lesson we are examining 2 occasions when "King Saul did not heed Solomon's warning." 4. Our purpose is to help us avoid the mistake that he made. Discussion: I. THE 1st OCCASION WHEN SAUL DID NOT HEED SOLOMON'S WARNING
A. (1 Samuel 10) After Samuel anointed Saul to be the king of Israel, he gave Saul a list of instructions. B. See vs.8. 1. Saul was to go before Samuel to Gilgal. 2. Samuel would come to Gilgal to offer sacrifices (he was priest). 3. Saul was to wait 7 days. 4. Samuel would come to Gilgal and show Saul what to do. C. (1 Samuel 13) Unfortunately, Saul did what was right in his own eyes. 1. The Philistines gathered together to fight Israel. 2. (vs.7) Saul was in Gilgal, and the Israelites became afraid. 3. (vs.8) Saul waited 7 days, and the people began to desert him. 4. (vs.9) Saul decided to offer the sacrifice himself. 5. (vs.10-12) Saul tried to rationalize what he had done. 6. (vs.13-14) He was punished for doing what seemed right to him. II. THE 2nd OCCASION WHEN SAUL DID NOT HEED SOLOMON'S WARNING
A. (1 Samuel 15:1-3) Samuel gave Saul instructions from the Lord. B. Saul's response is revealed in vs.7-9. C. Saul tried to rationalize his actions again. 1. (vs.13) As Saul greeted Samuel, he assured Samuel that he had obeyed. 2. (vs.14) However, Samuel heard the animals that had been spared. 3. (vs.15) It seems that Saul tried to blame the people. 4. (vs.16-19) Samuel reprimanded Saul. 5. (vs.20) Saul insisted that he had followed the Lord's instructions. D. (vs.22-23) Samuel informed Saul that God had rejected him from being king. 1. Saul's actions did not seem to be very important to him. 2. However, this kind of rebellion is just as serious as witchcraft, and stubbornness is just as serious as iniquity and idolatry. 3. Saul paid a terrible price for his deeds. Conclusion:
1. Saul helps us to understand Solomon's warning in Proverbs 14:12. 2. We can avoid Saul's mistake if we will follow the instructions given in Colossians 3:17. 3. Let us do all that the Lord wants us to do without any additions, subtractions, or substitutions!
