Answer: He fell asleep during a sermon that lasted until midnight.
Reference: Acts 20:9-12
Insight: One of the few recorded resurrections outside Jesus’ ministry, and a humorous warning about exceptionally long sermons.
Bible Stumpers
Unusual Deaths in the Bible
Some of the Bible's strangest stories involve death.
A man dies during one of Paul's gatherings, a king meets a bizarre end, and a rebel's greatest pride becomes his downfall.
Though unusual, these accounts reveal profound truths about pride, rebellion, judgment, and God's holiness.
How well do you know these strange deaths in the Bible?
Below are 11 intriguing questions. Some are well known. Others are details even seasoned Bible readers often overlook. How many can you answer before peeking?
1. A young man named Eutychus fell from a third-story window during one of Paul’s gatherings. What caused his fall?
2. When the judge Ehud assassinated King Eglon of Moab, the dagger completely disappeared inside the king. Why?
Answer: Eglon was so extremely obese that his fat closed over the handle, burying the entire weapon.
Reference: Judges 3:21-22
Insight: One of the most graphically detailed assassinations in the Bible.
3. King David’s rebellious son Absalom was left dangling helplessly in mid-air after his mule bolted. What trapped him?
Answer: His thick hair became caught in the branches of a large oak tree.
Reference: 2 Samuel 18:9
Insight: The very feature Absalom was most famous for (and proud of) caused his downfall.
4. The Canaanite commander Sisera fled to a woman’s tent and fell asleep from exhaustion. How did Jael kill him?
Answer: She drove a tent peg through his temple and into the ground with a hammer.
Reference: Judges 4:21
Insight: This fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy that the victory would belong to a woman.
5. During the siege of Thebez, a woman dropped something from a tower that fatally crushed the tyrant Abimelech’s skull. What was it?
Answer: An upper millstone.
Reference: Judges 9:53
Insight: An upper millstone was the top stone of a hand mill used to grind grain into flour. Mortally wounded, the proud Abimelech begged his armor-bearer to finish him off so no one could say a woman had killed him.
6. When servants went to bury Queen Jezebel after she was thrown from a window, dogs had already devoured most of her body. What parts remained?
Answer: Only her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands.
Reference: 2 Kings 9:35
Insight: This was the exact fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy.
7. Korah led a major rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. How did God judge the rebels?
Answer: The ground split open and swallowed them alive, along with their families and possessions.
Reference: Numbers 16:31-33
Insight: One of the most terrifying examples of divine judgment in the Old Testament.
8. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, were consumed by fire from the Lord while serving in the tabernacle. What was their sin?
Answer: They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.
Reference: Leviticus 10:1-2
Insight: Despite having witnessed God’s glory on Mount Sinai, they treated His holiness casually.
9. A group of young men mocked the prophet Elisha and were mauled by bears. What was their insult?
Answer: They repeatedly shouted, "Go up, baldhead! Go up, baldhead!"
Reference: 2 Kings 2:23-24
Insight: The taunt was a malicious rejection of Elisha as God’s prophet.
10. Eli the high priest collapsed and died the moment he heard catastrophic news from the battlefield. What was the news?
Answer: The Ark of God had been captured by the Philistines, and both of his sons had died.
Reference: 1 Samuel 4:18
Insight: Old and heavy, he fell backward and broke his neck.
Bonus: Uzzah was struck dead instantly while escorting the Ark of the Covenant on an oxcart. What did he do?
Answer: He reached out and touched the Ark to steady it when the oxen stumbled.
Reference: 2 Samuel 6:6-7
Insight: Even good intentions do not override God’s clear commands about holiness.
These unusual accounts are more than curiosities. Each one reveals an important truth about sin, judgment, holiness, or God's power over life and death. Which story surprised you the most?
