688. 1SA 31:4. SAUL’S SUICIDE

1Sa_31:4. Saul’s Suicide

"Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy 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 upon it."’971Sa_31:4.

The history of Saul resembles that of many a gallant vessel, that left its harbor with flying colors, every sail filled with the favorable breeze, amid the admiring exultations of a crowd of spectators; but which has finally foundered at sea, or been dashed to pieces on the rocks and breakers.

The commencement of Saul’s career was bright and hopeful. In his form and person he was noble and manly. He was selected from among all his compeers, to wear the first diadem in Israel. He was anointed by the excellent and devoted Samuel. He entered on his reign with the approbation and heartiest wishes of his people; and it is evident too, that he enjoyed the special favor of God.

But his pathway was darkened by disobedience to the Lord. He exalted his own authority above that of Jehovah, and was cast off from the divine complacency. He wandered further and further from the path of integrity, and was, at length, destined in the providence of God, to yield his crown and kingdom to another.

His days became embittered by the most deadly envy, and he fell a prey to wretchedness and melancholy. His last end was awfully miserable. He forsook the counsels of heaven, and betook himself to witchcraft for direction. In an encounter with the Philistines, his army fled, &c.; see 1Sa_31:1, 1Sa_31:2. And at length he called his armor-bearer to destroy him; on whose refusal, it is said, "Therefore Saul took a sword," &c. Our subject is suicide.

Let us consider,

Its nature.

The evils comprised in it.

The means of preventing it.

I. The nature of this sin.

It is the taking away our own life. Self-murder is of two kinds:’97

1. Mediate or indirect.

Where a person withholds from himself what is essential to life.

Where by gluttony or excessive food, disease is produced.

By drunkenness, which impairs health, and brings myriads to a premature grave.

Where by debauchery and sensual excesses, the life is abridged.

Where persons madly expose their lives to imminent risk and peril.

2. Immediate and direct.

When a person at once snaps asunder the brittle thread. By the pistol, or the razor’97the rope, or the poison, or the water. Saul fell upon his sword. Judas hanged himself, &c.

II. The evils comprised in it.

I observe,

1. It is a sin against the prerogative of God.

God is the author and arbiter of life. "In his hand is the breath," &c. "He killeth," &c. Infidels have jested with this sentiment. Hume wrote of it in a most flippant style, and merely represents it, as directing a few ounces of blood in a different channel.

God has said’97"Thou shalt not kill." None doubt the application of this to others; but, who disputes that it must necessarily include ourselves? I am God’s creature, and not mine own.

2. It is a sin against my friends. Every man has his connections. Some, whose interests are bound up with his. These cords of relationship and love, I have no right rudely to sever; I am one of several parties, and should not trample on their rights and affections. Think when this is perpetrated by a father’97husband’97wife’97mother’97child’97sister! &c. What misery is inflicted! What sorrow entailed! What woe produced! It is a rude and cruel assault on society.

3. It is a cruel and debasing attack on human nature.

Man is the highest and most dignified of earthly creatures. Read the history of his creation. Think how God has magnified him. What his Son has done for him. Go to Eden’97go to Calvary’97go to the holiest of all; and then reflect, on the wicked barbarity of self-destruction.

4. It is impious and presumptuous interference with the most solemn concerns.

Life, how precious! Time, how important! Death, how solemn! Eternity, how momentous! One view of this sin is peculiarly awful,’97there can be no repentance for it, or deliverance from its guilt and curse. It is a plunge into the abyss, where there is no gospel’97no Saviour’97no hope. It is destruction of body and soul forever. Of course, I do not include in these remarks, those who are insane, and thus unaccountable’97except, the insanity has been self-produced.

Notice,

III. The means of preventing it.

Here I premise,

(1.) The love of life is much stronger in some, than others.

(2.) The temptation more powerful in some cases than others. But if we would avoid the evil, the causes must be avoided. Let us look at some of the most common.

1. Pride and worldly ambition.

So in Saul. Ahithophel. 2Sa_17:23. This was the case with many of the ancients, and some modern statesmen, &c.

2. The sorrow of the world.

Losses, &c. Earthly prospects ruined. Sudden transition from riches to poverty. Speculations in trade, &c. Could not bear to live without wealth, &c.

3. Remorse and guilty anguish. Judas. Mat_27:3.

Look at the gamester! also, That ruined female! That abandoned drunkard! That forsaken spendthrift!

4. Despair of God’s mercy.

Influence of temptations, and influence of false doctrines. False views of divine sovereignty’97of divine decrees, &c.

Then learn,

1. How necessary it is to fear God.

2. To avoid the paths of the destroyer.

3. To seek God’s mercy in the gospel.

4. To live usefully, and thus really enjoy life.

5. To act in all things, in reference to eternity.

6. To repel temptation, by prayer for divine help.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS