Who committed sucide in the bible?

Answer 1

Samson: Judges, 16:29-30

ANOTHER ANSWER:

Most people, at one time or other in their lives, entertain the passing thought: "I wish I were dead" without really giving deep thought to the act of suicide to actually bring it about. More often than not, people may entertain such a passing thought over the suffering of sickness, ill-health, or extreme pain... we all just want it to stop; not through suicide, necessarily, but to return to some semblance of normality [whatever one's concept of that might be].

"My concept" of suicide, however, stems more from "demon influence" in one's mind. An influence in this world that the world is generally unwilling to recognize and/or accept; in spite of the fact that The Bible lends credence to their existence [and influence] time and time again -- with Jesus, when He walked the earth as a man -- cast out more than His fair share of 'unclean spirits' from people [some of whom were epileptic and seemed 'suicidal' -- two conditions of which, today, the modern medical profession in their unwillingness to recognize 'demons; or the 'possession' thereof, try to treat with 'mind-altering drugs'].

"So they brought the boy. But when THE EVIL SPIRIT SAW JESUS, it threw the child into VIOLENT CONVULSION, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth... The EVIL SPIRIT OFTEN MAKES HIM FALL INTO THE FIRE OR INTO WATER, TRYING TO KILL HIM..." (Mark 9:20-22 NLT New Living Translation)

Samson wasn't suicidal. He felt that He had betrayed the LORD, and wished to make reparations for it:

"...'Sovereign LORD, remember me again... Let me die with the Philistines,' HE PRAYED..." (Jud.16:28-30 NLT New Living Translation)

The prophet Elijah became "burned out" in the course of his work for the LORD, and "wished he were dead." But he never took steps to accomplish it. We are all, above else, HUMAN... and subject to frustration and fear. And Elijah, though a man of God, was no different in that regard:

"...He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed THAT HE MIGHT DIE. 'I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD,' he said. 'TAKE MY LIFE, FOR I AM NO BETTER THAN MY ANCESTORS.'" (I Kings 19:4-5 NLT)

We all "talk about ending it all"... but few people "in their right mind" take steps to do it. Elijah didn't try to kill himself; although he appeared to be asking the LORD to assist him in it. The LORD, however, took steps to alleviate his suffering:

"...as he was sleeping, an angel touched him [another biblical revelation that this world fails to acknowledge] and told him, 'Get up and eat!' ...and the food gave him strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the Mountain of God..." (verses 5-8).

Jonah seems to have been plagued with "self-pity"... which some perceive as a tendency toward suicide.

"...'JUST KILL ME NOW, LORD!'"

See... he didn't seek to kill himself, but appealed to God [like we so many folks often think, foolishly] to HELP him "end it all."

"...'I'D RATHER BE DEAD THAN LIVE because nothing I predicted is going to happen.'" (Jonah 4:3 NLT)

But, again... the LORD didn't kill him. He helped him out: with a "life-lesson" or two in the process:

"...'Is it right for you to be angry about this? ...And the LORD arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun... But God also prepared a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant, so that soon it died and withered away. As the sun grew hot, God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah... 'Death is certainly better than this!' he exclaimed.

"Then God said to Jonah, 'Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?' 'YES,' Jonah retorted, 'EVEN ANGRY ENOUGH TO DIE!'

"Then the LORD said, 'You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. And a plant is only, at best, short lived. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people LIVING IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?'" (verses 4-11 NLT)

The only "biblical characters" that displayed "suicidal tendencies" were the "demon-possessed" ones. And it's not really all that clear whether or not they "contemplated" it. That is, exercised much, or any, rational thought processes in their attempts at it.

God's servants AREN'T SUICIDAL! Being human, they may become frustrated and burned-out. We're all going to die. And as revealed in the Scriptures, we might even appeal to the LORD to be "taken out." But, none of them [not even Jesus Christ] WANTED TO DIE!

"...'Father, IF THOU BE WILLING, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but THINE, BE DONE.' And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, STRENGTHENING HIM." (Luke 22:42-43)

Answer 2

The person was the Corinthian jailer. Paul and Silas had been falsely accused and were bring held with other prisoners. There was an earthquake at night, the doors all opened, and the prisoners' chain were loosened. The jailer saw the open doors and thought all the prisoners had escaped (he didn't "permit an escape"). Knowing that he would be severely punished, he decided to kill himself instead. Paul "talked him out of it" by explaining that the prisoners had not run away, even though they could have. The jailer was amazed asked the famous question: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" He became a believer and was baptized. Acts 16:25-40

Answer 3

There are at least two biblical accounts of suicide. 2 Samuel 17:23 says that Ahithophel hanged himself. Matthew 27:5 tells about Judas hanging himself.