INTRODUCTION:  When you compare the description of Saul’s death in this chapter with that in 1 Samuel 31, you will find two different stories of how Saul died.  1 Samuel 31:4-5 tells us that he died at his own hand by falling on his own sword.  In 2 Samuel 1:9-10 we are told that he was killed by the Amalekite.  Is there a contradiction?  No.  The second account is that of the Amalekite himself who thought he would receive a reward for killing David’s enemy.  He was surprised when he was killed instead.  Did David know he was lying?  Perhaps.  He covers himself when he says, “Thy blood be upon thy head; for they mouth hath testified against thee” (2 Samuel 1:16).  The Amalekite died because he testified that he had killed the Lord’s anointed.  The fact that he was lying did not change his fate.

1. THE AMALEKITE TESTIFIES OF SAUL’S DEATH (2 Samuel 1:1-12)
2. THE AMALEKITE DIES FOR HIS TESTIMONY (2 Samuel 1:13-16)
3. DAVID LAMENTS THE DEATHS OF SAUL AND JONATHAN (2 Samuel 1:17-27)

SPECIAL NOTE:  This passage and David’s reaction to the claim of the Amalekite is one of the strongest arguments in the Bible against euthanasia, or mercy killing.  Please use some of the time in this class to deal with this important subject.

FOUR ARGUMENTS AGAINST EUTHANASIA

2 Samuel 1:6-10

INTRODUCTION:  Euthanasia literally means “happy death”; also called mercy killing; in the Netherlands where euthanasia has been practiced for years, it is called deliverance.  It is advocated by Dr. Kevorkian (Dr. Death) and the Hemlock Society.  Recently Oregon passed the first measure in the history of the U.S. which allowed euthanasia (although it has had trouble in the courts).

1. THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE THAT LIFE AND DEATH BELONG TO GOD
1. God is the Source of Life--John 5:26 -He has “life in himself’; i.e., He is the source of His own life (that’s what makes Him God)
2. God is the Giver of Life--Genesis 2:7 -Life is not an accident of nature
3. God is the Preserver of Life--Acts 17:24-25,28
4. God is the Taker of Life--Deuteronomy  32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6
1. No man dies unless God allows it--Job 2:6
2. It is not your life to do with as you please/that is rebellion--Psalm 12:4
2. THE BIBLICAL PRECEPT THAT “THOU SHALT NOT KILL”--Exodus 10:13  NOTE:  The Exceptions to the Fifth Commandment Only Prove the Sanctity of Life
1. The Exception of Self-Defense--Exodus 22:2 -Valid because your life and that of your loved ones is threatened
2. The Exception of War--Numbers 10:9 “the enemy that oppresseth you” -Valid because your country is threatened/an extension of self-defense
3. The Exception of Capital Punishment--Genesis 9:5-6 -Valid because a life has been taken.  Where capital punishment is not practiced on murderers, the land becomes guilty of blood--Numbers 35:31-34

One portion of the Hippocratic Oath says:  “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but I will never use it to injure or wrong them.  I will not give poison to anyone though asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a plan.  Similarly I will not give a pessary [this was a potion meant to cause abortion] to a woman to cause abortion.  But in purity and in holiness I will guard my life and my art.”--This was stated by a pagan doctor in the fourth century B.C.  We’ve come a long way.