2 Samuel chapter 21 verses 2-3 (NIV)
The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the LORD’s inheritance?”
Saul’s problem was that he too often did what he thought was right without following God’s guidance on the matter. Zealous is great if it’s God directed, but if it’s based on our feelings or emotions, it can lead us into doing something we shouldn’t, even if we believe we are doing the right thing. The consequences for the family of Saul were to stretch to his grandchildren. We need always to be aware that our actions have consequences too, and so we need to ensure that our emotions don’t get the better of us.
Dear Lord,
Help me to keep my focus on doing what is right in Your eyes, not in mine. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.