Contradiction with 1 Samuel 23:14
This verse contradicts 1 Chronicles 11:18 by indicating that David was in the wilderness of Ziph and not at the stronghold of Bethlehem.
1 Samuel 23:14: And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 23:16
This verse differs from 1 Chronicles 11:18 in the description of the three mighty men's actions, specifically in their journey and the location's circumstances.
2 Samuel 23:16: And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that [was] by the gate, and took [it], and brought [it] to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 11:15
This earlier verse suggests that David was in a different location before the event described in 1 Chronicles 11:18, creating a discrepancy in the timeline and geography.
1 Chronicles 11:15: Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. [three...: or, three captains over the thirty]
Paradox #1
1 Chronicles 11:18 might have a potential contradiction with 2 Samuel 23:16 regarding the story of David's warriors fetching water from the well of Bethlehem. Both passages tell the same story but have differences in certain details and contexts. These differences could be seen as inconsistencies in how the events are described.