Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.  Matt. 7:7
"I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL"
as published in Toms River Church of Christ bulletin
         Israel's first king was named Saul. In his early years he sought God's guidance. I Samuel 9:2 says, "There was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he." No one's life ever began more hopefully than Saul's: he came from a good family, had an unmarred name and literally stood head and shoulders above everyone. The people recognized his character and greatness. God selected him, equipped him and promised to be with him in his duties as king. How tragic that later in life he would say, "I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly" (I Samuel 26:21). Where did he go wrong?
         1. He ran away from responsibility. When God selected   him to serve as king he hid himself. God has a right to select whomever He will for a specific task. Saul failed to comprehend that God's assignments are never too unreasonable for man to carry out. Jonah also tried to run away from God. ..
         2. He didn't think things through. Hasty in our judgments and acting on the spur of the moment often bring heartache. Saul failed to wait for the Lord to guide him. Have you ever said: "Lord, tell me what to do but I need to know right now so I can take care of things?."
         3. He tried to cover up his faults. There's always a tendency to "pass the buck." Blaming others and excuse making never contribute to a worthy cause. I Samuel 15:23: "Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." Saul's disobedience and attempted cover-up cost him his kingship.
        4. He was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred. Saul became jealous over David's slaying of Goliath. Jealousy over another's success in reality may be recognition of our own shortcomings. "Sticks and stones are only thrown at fruit-bearing trees."
        Three valuable lessons learned from Saul's life:
It is not enough to start out right - we must also end up right.
God never departs from man; man departs from God.
Jealousy makes a fool of a man.