Rachel (Genesis 35:16-20): Died in childbirth, mourning the loss of her son Benjamin.
Naomi's husband and sons (Ruth 1:3-5): Naomi's husband, Elimelech, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, died in Moab, leaving Naomi a widow, childless, and in poverty.
Job's children (Job 1:13-19): Job's seven sons and three daughters died in a single day, crushed by a house that collapsed on them.
King Josiah (2 Kings 23:29-30): Died in battle, mourned by the people of Judah.
Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:14-17): Died in battle, a victim of King David's conspiracy to cover up his adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.
Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-18:18): His rebellion against his father, David, led to his death.
Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-39): His rape of his half-sister, Tamar, and subsequent murder led to his death.
Sheba (2 Samuel 20:1-22): His rebellion against David led to his death.
Baasha (1 Kings 15:25-31, 16:1-7): His conspiracy against Nadab and his idolatry led to his death.
Elah (1 Kings 16:8-14): His drunkenness and idolatry led to his assassination.
Zimri (1 Kings 16:15-20): His conspiracy against Elah and his idolatry led to his death.
Omri (1 Kings 16:21-28): His idolatry and wickedness led to his death.
Ahab's descendants (1 Kings 21:20-29, 2 Kings 9:1-37, 10:1-36): Their idolatry and wickedness led to their deaths.
Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 4:1-11): Eli's sons, who were priests, engaged in immoral behavior and died in battle.
Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-38): His greed and refusal to help David led to his death.
Doeg the Edomite (1 Samuel 21:7, 22:6-23): His role in the slaughter of the priests at Nob led to his death.
Queen Athaliah's sons and nobles (2 Chronicles 23:1-21): Their support for her idolatrous reign led to their execution.
Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-18, 2 Chronicles 33:1-20): Although he repented, his earlier wickedness led to his captivity and likely sorrow.
Ahab's prophets (1 Kings 18:1-40, 22:1-40): Their false prophecies and support for Ahab's idolatry led to their deaths.
Jezebel's messengers (1 Kings 18:1-40): Their attempts to capture Elijah led to their deaths. ETC.
These stories emphasize the consequences of sin, rebellion, and disobedience, highlighting the importance of seeking God's wisdom and living righteously.
It's my prayer that, none of us in this Community and our families as a whole will die in sorrow. We shall not die before our time. We shall not labour in vain. We shall not plant for another person to harvest. RATHER, WE SHALL ALL REAP THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOUR IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME. AMEN.
HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2025 IN ADVANCE. REMAIN BLESSED MY DEARLY BELOVED PEOPLE.