Transcript What do Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas have in common?  Suicide  “the intentional taking of one’s own life” • Literally: self-kill or self-murder •

What do Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas
have in common?
 Suicide
 “the intentional taking of one’s own life”
• Literally: self-kill or self-murder
• Why – loss of hope or to make a point
Suicide is condemned in the Bible
& should never be an option
 God gave life, Gen. 1:26, 27
 Life is sacred, Gen. 9:6
 No right to take it unlawfully
• Others: homicide
• Self: suicide
King Saul, 1 Sam. 31
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Luxuries, servants, wealth
Turned from God, 1 Sam. 13, 15
Years of envy & selfishness, 1 Sam. 18-27
Became totally lost in life, 1 Sam. 28:5-19
Desperate circumstances, 1 Sam. 31:1-3
Gave up & killed himself, 1 Sam. 31:4, 5
Did not trust in God
Ahithophel, 2 Sam. 15-17
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Wise man, counselor to David, 2 Sam. 16:23
Betrayed God’s anointed, 2 Sam. 15:12, 31
Outlined plan to kill David, 2 Sam. 16:15-17:4
Advice dismissed, 2 Sam. 17:5-22
Took his own life, 2 Sam. 17:23
Judas, Mt. 26, 27
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Betrayed the Lord’s anointed, Mt. 26:14-50
Greedy & materialistic, Jn. 12:4-6
Realized his guilt, Mt. 27:3
Tried to alleviate his guilt, Mt. 27:3, 4
Hanged himself, Mt. 27:5
Judas, Mt. 26, 27
 Could have turned out different
• Peter repented & was faithful, Jn. 21
• Rahab the harlot became faithful, Heb. 11
• Saul of Tarsus – Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 15:10
It does not solve problems for you
 Sin by taking your own life, Rev. 21:8
 Other sins still against you, Lk. 13:3
It does not solve problems with others
 Problems not solved – did not disappear
 Problems remain permanently unresolved
Perhaps the most selfish act
 Only thinking of your pain & your relief
 Want those left behind to feel guilty
Suicide is for those who are too weak
to face their problems
 Not a noble thing
Died faithful to God, Heb. 11:32
Died fighting God’s enemies, Judges 16:23-30
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Prisoner & slave
Philistines involved in idolatrous worship
Called on the Lord, Judges 16:28
Received strength, Judges 16:29, 30
Died fighting God’s enemies, Judges 16:23-30
 Similar cases
• Firefighter
• Soldier
What do Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas
have in common?
 Suicide
 “the intentional taking of one’s own life”
• Literally: self-kill or self-murder
• Why – loss of hope or to make a point
Suicide is condemned in the Bible
& should never be an option
 God gave life, Gen. 1:26, 27
 Life is sacred, Gen. 9:6
 No right to take it unlawfully
• Others: homicide
• Self: suicide