Suicide again, examples from Scripture

[ProDeo]

I found seven. Are there more?

Judges 9:52-54 - Abimelech (reasons: disappointment, upcoming degradation, shame)

1 Sam 31:4 - Saul (reasons: disappointment, upcoming degradation, shame)
1 Sam 31:5 - Saul's buddy in arms (impulsive, caught by the horror of the moment)

2 Samuel 17:23 - Ahithophel (reasons: disappointment, pride)

1 Kon. 16:15-20 - Zimri (disappointment)

Matt. 27:3-5 - Judas (guilt)

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Judges 16:25-30 - Samson (reason: for God's glory)

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The first 6 are self-centered, the 7th (Samson) is not.

The first 6 don't give the impression these were godly (saved) people, the 7th (Samson) is named in Hebrews in the list of the heroes of faith.

All 7 have in common a pattern of impulsiveness, it's not a struggle of months (years) typical for the serious depressed having fought 1000 battles against the inner pressure having won 999 times but losing the last one.

Other then the obvious that God is the giver and taker of life and thus (self-centered) suicide is sin I haven't noticed a clear condemnation in Scripture about suicide, let alone it is a salvation issue.

[Fenris]

I'm not sure how critical I would be of Saul. If he was captured alive, very bad things would have happened to him.

[Fenris]

Generals who commit suicide prior to capture by enemy forces are a different category. They're going to die anyway; no reason why it can't be at their own hand, in a less painful manner. My 2 cents.

Nearly 1000 years after Saul, the Romans were ambushed and smashed at the battle of Teutoburg Forest. Apparently dozens of high ranking officers committed suicide rather than fall to the Germans, who had the habit of crucifying their enemies to oak trees- where death would not come for days...

Again, who could blame them?

[Fenris]

More famous suicides: Masada, in the year 73. Post-biblical obviously. The Jews who revolted against Rome could not hold out much longer and chose suicide to death or enslavement. From their leader's last speech-

“Since we long ago resolved never to be servants to the Romans, nor to any other than to God Himself, Who alone is the true and just Lord of mankind, the time is now come that obliges us to make that resolution true in practice...We were the very first that revolted, and we are the last to fight against them; and I cannot but esteem it as a favor that God has granted us, that it is still in our power to die bravely, and in a state of freedom.”
Elazar ben Yair at Masada April 15, 73 AD

Post script- archeologists came upon the skeletons of 28 people at the site, who were reburied by the IDF with full military honors at Masada on July 7, 1969.

[Brother Mark]

Ahithophel was bitterness. He was Bathsheba's grandfather. He wanted David real bad and was unwilling to forgive what God had forgiven, IMO. In the end, it hurt him to the point he committed suicide.