1 Chronicles 10:4

Drew thy sword, and thrust me through.

Suicide as illustrated by the case of Saul

I. Causes.

1. Not merely accumulated misfortune, but long-continued wrongdoing.

2. Cowardly fear of suffering.

3. Caring more for disgrace than for sin.

4. Abandonment of trust of God as to this life and to the future life.

II. Effects.--

1. Others led by the example into the same folly and sin.

2. Personal dishonour not really prevented.

3. A crowning and lasting reproach to the man’s memory. (J. P. Lange.)