Contradiction with Exodus 20:5
This verse mentions that God visits "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children," which contrasts with David's desire in 1 Chronicles 21:13 not to fall into the hands of man, implying a preference for God's direct punishment over man's.
Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
This verse states that "the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father," contradicting the idea in 1 Chronicles 21:13 of collective punishment coming from God that may affect others beyond the individual directly responsible.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Contradiction with 1 Timothy 2:5
This verse states that there is "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," which contradicts the notion in 1 Chronicles 21:13 that David seeks the mercy of God directly, acting in a mediator role himself.
1 Timothy 2:5: For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Contradiction with Jonah 4:2
This verse mentions God as "gracious and merciful, slow to anger," which contrasts with the concept in 1 Chronicles 21:13 of God bringing severe judgment and punishment for David's actions.
Jonah 4:2: And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Contradiction with James 1:13
This verse states that "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man," which contradicts 1 Chronicles 21:13 where David speaks of falling "into the hand of the Lord" possibly implying divine punishment.
James 1:13: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [evil: or, evils]
Paradox #1
The contradiction in this context might arise from the different accounts of the same event found in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24. These chapters describe the census ordered by King David, but they differ in details such as who incited David to take the census and the consequences that followed. This inconsistency in the biblical narrative might lead to confusion or conflict when comparing the different versions of the story.
Paradox #2
The moral conflict in this verse could arise from the dilemma of choosing between three types of punishment. It highlights the tension between divine justice and mercy, where relying on human decisions for punishment might feel harsh, yet trusting divine punishment could question how fair or kind it is. This can make it hard to understand why any punishment must occur and how it aligns with a sense of fairness or forgiveness.