Joel M Bradshaw

3The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. 4Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.–1 Chronicles 10

1. This scene is presented as a shameful moment for Saul.
2. The armor bearer feared greatly, so he wouldn’t obey the king to kill him.
3. Fugitive David would also not put his hands on King Saul to kill him (1 Samuel 26:11).
4. Some picture suicide as an unforgivable sin that lands one immediately in Hell.
5. Think instead of suicide as the intentional murder of the self.
6. Do murderers who repent get forgiven by God?
7. Regardless, Saul’s suicide was not normal or noble. The Bible doesn’t present it as a moment for anyone to repeat. Suicide is wrong. Get help if you feel troubled.–JMB