Suicide is the act of causing one’s own death intentionally; or, it is the act of killing one’s self intentionally. In life, we often face hardship, challenges, difficulties, etc. Sometimes, certain people are so overwhelmed with these problems, difficulties, etc. to the extent that they rather choose to end their own lives – suicide. These are some historical examples of people who were driven into suicide:
King Saul commits suicide
The Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the Israelites fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines overtook King Saul and his sons, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against King Saul, and the archers shot arrows at him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then King Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer could not because he was afraid to do so. Therefore King Saul took his own sword and fell upon it and he died – suicide. 1 Samuel 31:4
Saul’s armor-bearer commits suicide
When King Saul’s armor-bearer saw that King Saul had fallen on his sword to kill himself and he was dead, he also drew his sword and fell upon it and died with him. Thus Saul and his armor-bearer committed suicide on the same day. 1 Samuel 31:1-6
Ahithophel commits suicide
When Ahithophel realized that Absalom and the leaders of Israel were not going to follow his advice, he saddled his donkey and rode back to his home in Gilo. And he told his family and servants what to do. And then he hanged himself, and they buried him in his family’s burial place. 2 Samuel 17:23
Zimri commits suicide
In the 27th year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops of Israel were encamped against the Philistine town of Gibbethon. And the troops who were encamped heard that Zimri had conspired, and he had killed the king. Therefore all of Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. So Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. And when King Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house over him with fire and died. 1 Kings 16:15-20
Judas Iscariot commits suicide
Then when Judas, the betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they also replied, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the 30 pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5
Attempted suicides in the Bible
The jailer attempted suicide: Acts 16:25-31