7 suicides in the bible

The Bible, an age-old text we often turn to for inspiration, love, and wisdom, also sheds light on the darkest aspects of human life, including suicide. When I was contemplating suicide in 2020 and actively planning a jump off the right bridge at a specific time of day I turned to the Bible as a last attempt at guidance. I was shocked to fine 7 instances of suicide recorded in this sacred book!! Each told a story that echoes with the complexity of the human spirit. In this blog, we'll delve into these stories, understanding their contexts and learning what they have to say to us today, especially in light of the transformative grace offered by Jesus Christ.

Judas Iscariot - Betrayal and Remorse

One of the most infamous figures in the New Testament, Judas Iscariot, was a disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. Overwhelmed by remorse after realizing the severity of his betrayal, Judas returned the silver coins to the temple priests and took his own life by hanging (Matthew 27:3-5). Judas' story is an extreme example of guilt leading to hopelessness. The lesson here could be twofold: First, the importance of facing our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness rather than resorting to irreversible actions. Second, it serves as a cautionary tale of how despair can consume us if we let it. Judas never got to experience the grace that would flow from the very act he set into motion—Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection. This grace has the power to erase guilt and shame, offering us a fresh start. Judas's story serves as a haunting reminder to seek this grace before it's too late.

King Saul - A Fall from Grace

King Saul, the first King of Israel, was initially chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. Faced with overwhelming defeat against the Philistine army and fearing torture, Saul chose to fall upon his sword rather than be captured (1 Samuel 31:4). King Saul's tale serves as a solemn reminder that pride and fear can isolate us from God and our community, leading to actions fueled by despair.

Elijah - The Prophet in Despair

Elijah was a prophet who had shown great courage and faith but found himself consumed by fear and exhaustion after Queen Jezebel threatened his life. He fled into the wilderness, praying for death under a broom tree (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah's story contrasts with the others because he does not go through with it; instead, an angel appears to provide food and comfort, allowing him to carry on. This account offers hope that even in our lowest moments, help and renewal are possible.

Samson - A Final Act of Defiance

Samson's is perhaps the most dramatic of these stories. After a life of highs and lows, of divine gifts wasted and of love betrayed, Samson finds himself blind and imprisoned. Yet in this moment of ultimate despair, he prays. Pushing apart the temple pillars, he dies, but not before exacting revenge on his Philistine captors. Samson's final act is both heroic and tragic, a complicated finale to a complicated life. Could there have been another way, had he known the grace that was to come through Jesus Christ? It’s something we will never know, but we have the privilege of accepting this grace today.

Abimelech - The Wounded King

Abimelech, a ruler fraught with greed and ambition, is struck on the head by a millstone during a siege. Not wanting to die at a woman's hand, he orders his armor-bearer to kill him. It's a tragic end to a life guided by self-serving motives. (Judges 9:54) Abimelech's story shows us the emptiness of a life fueled by a lust for power. It reminds us that in the end, how we live matters more than how we die. His demise is lonely, with no recourse but to escape perceived shame—a stark contrast to the grace that could fill our lives when we allow Jesus into our hearts.

Ahithophel - The Advisor Betrayed

Ahithophel, once a trusted advisor to King David, joins Absalom in a revolt against the king. When his counsel is rejected, he hangs himself. His is a quiet, almost forgotten death, sandwiched between tales of war and revolt. (2 Samuel 17:23) Ahithophel’s suicide is a lesson in the dangers of tying our worth too tightly to the approval of others. His advice being ignored was the final straw for him, an utter loss of purpose. However, the grace we receive through Jesus shows us that our value doesn’t lie in human validation.

Zimri - The Short-Lived Reign

Zimri, an Israelite official, reigned for a mere seven days. When the city was taken and he realized his end was near, he burned down the royal palace with him inside. (1 Kings 16:18)

His desperate act displays the darkness that can consume us when all seems lost. But even in the deepest pits of despair, the light of Christ's grace can shine through, offering us a way out—something Zimri never had the chance to know.

It’s worth noting that every suicide in the Bible happens in a pre-Christ era, except for Judas, who died just before Jesus could complete His redemptive work. The profound grace that flows from the cross—grace that erases guilt, defeats shame, and offers eternal hope—was not something these tragic figures could have known. But we can.

Conclusion

While the Bible strongly promotes the sanctity of life and generally discourages acts of self-harm or suicide, it does present characters who struggle with such thoughts due to various moral, emotional, and spiritual challenges. These stories serve as cautionary tales but also offer rays of hope and potential for redemption and renewal. There's no place so dark that the light of Christ can't find you. If you're wrestling with thoughts of suicide, please seek professional help immediately.

When I was being haunted with suicidal ideations, the Bible, prayer, and counseling saved me. My thoughts rolled around like a broken record of defeat, hopelessness, and despair. I meditated on the Word of God every chance I could in hopes of replacing the defeat I had felt. I wrote what helped me get through the toughest part of my life in "A Survival Guide For A Suicidal Christian" in hopes that it can do the same for another.