The Bible
does not give us a lot about suicide. But it does give us some things. What is
most interesting is the response of King David to Saul’s death.
Of course,
David did not know right away how Saul died. He was first told that an
Amalekite killed him. But the Holy Spirit knew how he died, and so did the
author of 2 Samuel 1, and they both wanted us to see Saul’s death through the
lens of David’s words.
The Bible wants
us to see Saul’s death as the tragic fall of a mighty man,
“17 Then
David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18 and
he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow;
indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:
19 “The
beauty of Israel is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath,
Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—
Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 “O
mountains of Gilboa,
Let there be no dew nor rain upon you,
Nor fields of offerings.
For the shield of the mighty is cast away there!
The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain,
From the fat of the mighty,
The bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
And the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23 “Saul
and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives,
And in their death they were not divided;
They were swifter than eagles,
They were stronger than lions.
24 “O
daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury;
Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 “How
the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan was slain in your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
You have been very pleasant to me;
Your love to me was wonderful,
Surpassing the love of women.
27 “How
the mighty have fallen,
And the weapons of war perished!” (2 Sam. 1:17-27).
There is probably
too much said about suicide that does not take into account David’s words. To
die this way is tragic. It is often unnecessary. Don’t let the darkness take
you brothers and sisters. If you are even tempted to think about this kind of
act latch onto anyone around you who will listen, and if you have no one find
the closest good church and talk to the pastor, or the elders, or the men’s or
women’s group leader and recognize that even though things look dark now, there
is someone who will help guide you back to the light even if this takes some
time.
I lost a friend
a few days ago. May God have mercy on him and his family.
