Contradiction with 1 Samuel 31:4
This verse describes Saul's death in similar terms but doesn't provide a contradiction; it is actually parallel.
1 Samuel 31:4: Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. [abuse...: or, mock me]
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 1:10
This verse contradicts by stating that an Amalekite claimed to have killed Saul, differing from the account of Saul's suicide in 1 Chronicles 10:4.
2 Samuel 1:10: So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:12
This implies that Saul was killed by the Philistines, indicating a different cause of death than his suicide in 1 Chronicles 10:4.
2 Samuel 21:12: And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
Paradox #1
1 Chronicles 10:4 describes the death of Saul by suicide. A potential contradiction arises when comparing this account to 2 Samuel 1:9-10, where an Amalekite claims to have killed Saul at Saul's own request. The inconsistency is whether Saul died by his own hand or was killed by the Amalekite.
Paradox #2
1 Chronicles 10:4 involves a scenario where someone takes his own life to avoid falling into enemy hands. A contradiction arises because the Bible generally considers life as sacred and suicide as morally wrong, yet this act can be seen as trying to avoid a worse fate. This creates a tension between the value of preserving life and escaping suffering or dishonor.