Definition and Overview:
Suicide, the act of intentionally taking one's own life, is a topic that is not directly addressed in the Bible with a specific commandment or prohibition. However, the Scriptures provide principles and narratives that inform a Christian understanding of the sanctity of life and the moral implications of suicide.

Biblical Instances of Suicide:
The Bible records several instances of suicide, each with its own context and implications:

1. Saul · In 1 Samuel 31:4, King Saul, after being critically wounded in battle and fearing capture by the Philistines, takes his own life by falling on his sword. "Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, 'Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!' But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it."

2. Ahithophel · In 2 Samuel 17:23, Ahithophel, a counselor to Absalom, hangs himself after his advice is not followed, indicating his despair and loss of honor. "When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb."

3. Zimri · In 1 Kings 16:18, Zimri, after a brief reign as king, sets the royal palace on fire around him and dies in the flames when he sees that the city has been taken. "When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died."

4. Judas Iscariot · In Matthew 27:5, Judas, after betraying Jesus, is filled with remorse and hangs himself. "So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."

Theological Considerations:
The Bible emphasizes the sanctity of human life, as humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Life is a gift from God, and only He has the authority over life and death. The commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) is often interpreted to include self-murder, or suicide.

The New Testament offers hope and encouragement for those in despair. Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28). The Apostle Paul, in his letters, speaks of the hope and comfort found in Christ, even amidst suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Pastoral Care and Response:
The Christian community is called to provide support and care for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The church is to be a place of refuge, offering love, support, and practical help to those in need.

Hope and Redemption:
While the Bible does not explicitly address the eternal state of those who commit suicide, it consistently points to the grace and mercy of God. Romans 8:38-39 assures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The focus is on the hope and redemption available through faith in Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness and new life.

Conclusion:
The Bible provides a framework for understanding the gravity of suicide while emphasizing the hope and healing found in a relationship with God. Christians are encouraged to uphold the value of life, offer compassion to those in distress, and trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and grace.1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Topicalbible.org

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Topicalbible.org

John 10:10
The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 34:17-20
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
Topicalbible.org

2 Samuel 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and got him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.
Topicalbible.org

1 Samuel 31:4
Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell on it.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 27:3-5
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Topicalbible.org

1 Samuel 31:5
And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on his sword, and died with him.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of taking one's own life voluntary and intentionally; self-murder; specifically (Law), the felonious killing of one's self; the deliberate and intentional destruction of one's own life by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.

2. (adv.) One guilty of self-murder; a felo-de-se.

3. (adv.) Ruin of one's own interests.

SUICIDE

su'-i-sid.

See CRIMES.

Pilate's Suicide.
... Book II. Chapter VII."Pilate's Suicide. ... According to another tradition he committed
suicide upon the mountain near Lake Lucerne, which bears his name. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii pilates suicide.htm

That Suicide Can Never be Prompted by Magnanimity.
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 22."That Suicide Can Never Be Prompted
by Magnanimity. But they who have laid violent hands on ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 that suicide can never.htm

Of Suicide Committed through Fear of Punishment or Dishonor.
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 17."Of Suicide Committed Through Fear
of Punishment or Dishonor. And consequently, even if some ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of suicide committed through.htm

The Suicide of Thought
... III. THE SUICIDE OF THOUGHT. THE phrases of the street are not only forcible
but subtle: for a figure of speech can often get into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/iii the suicide of thought.htm

Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
... Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion. CXXXII.
Remorse and Suicide of Judas. (in the Temple and Outside the Wall of Jerusalem. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxii remorse and suicide of.htm

That Christians have no Authority for Committing Suicide in any ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 20."That Christians Have No Authority
for Committing Suicide in Any Circumstances Whatever. It ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 20 that christians have no.htm

The Personal History of Callistus; his Occupation as a Banker ...
... Chapter VII."The Personal History of Callistus; His Occupation as a Banker; Fraud
on Carpophorus; Callistus Absconds; Attempted Suicide; Condemned to the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii the personal history of.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Kill Oneself?
... Therefore suicide is not unlawful. ... Wherefore suicide is contrary to the inclination
of nature, and to charity whereby every man should love himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 8.htm

That in that virtue in which Regulus Excels Cato, Christians are ...
... of whom it is recorded in our authoritative and trustworthy books that they bore
captivity and the oppression of their enemies rather than commit suicide. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 that in that virtue.htm

Many Others, Both Men and Women, who Suffered in Various Ways.
... We have a great many instances given of this kind of treatment, and in many cases,
as in the present, suicide relieved the victims of the proposed indignity. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xii many others both men.htm

Suicide
... 2. (adv.) One guilty of self-murder; a felo-de-se. 3. (adv.) Ruin of one's own
interests. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SUICIDE. su'-i-sid. See CRIMES. ...
/s/suicide.htm - 6k

Razis
... In order to escape falling into the hands of Nicanor's soldiers he committed suicide
with the greatest determination in a rather revolting manner (2 Maccabees ...
/r/razis.htm - 6k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
... the law is clear with reference to all these eases (Exodus 21:15, 17 1 Timothy
1:9 Matthew 15:4). No punishment is mentioned for attempted suicide (compare 1 ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Suggestions (9 Occurrences)

/s/suggestions.htm - 8k

Suit (15 Occurrences)

/s/suit.htm - 12k

Nero
... Nero gave out that she died by suicide (Suetonius xxxiv; Tacitus, Annals
cxli-cxlviii). ... Here he prepared for suicide, but with great cowardice. ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... 36 the governor of Syria brought serious accusations against Pilate, and he was
banished to Vienne in Gaul, where, according to tradition, he committed suicide...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... 36 the governor of Syria brought serious accusations against Pilate, and he was
banished to Vienne in Gaul, where, according to tradition, he committed suicide...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... The latter was governor of the city, and foreseeing his fate, he committed suicide
by dashing out his brains against the walls of his prison. ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

Knife (10 Occurrences)
... Herod used a knife for paring apples, and attempted suicide with the instrument
(Josephus, Ant, XVII, vii, 1; BJ, I, xxxiii, 7). Edward Bagby Pollard. ...
/k/knife.htm - 13k

What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide? | GotQuestions.org

If a Christian commits suicide, is he/she still saved? | GotQuestions.org

Why should I not commit suicide? | GotQuestions.org

Suicide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus