Contradiction with 2 Samuel 11:15
This verse describes David's order to have Uriah placed in the front of the battle to be killed, contradicting 1 Kings 15:5, which states David "turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite," highlighting his transgression in this instance.
2 Samuel 11:15: And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. [hottest: Heb. strong] [from him: Heb. from after him]
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 12:9
This verse recounts the prophet Nathan accusing David of despising the commandment of the Lord by doing evil in the matter of Uriah, which contradicts the notion from 1 Kings 15:5 of David’s overall faithfulness to God's commands apart from this instance.
2 Samuel 12:9: Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Paradox #1
1 Kings 15:5 could be seen as a contradiction or conflict because it states that David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything He commanded all his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. The conflict arises because other parts of the Bible mention additional failings and sins committed by David, suggesting that Uriah's case wasn't his only moral failing. This inconsistency can lead to questions about the completeness or accuracy of the portrayal of David’s character in this verse.
Paradox #2
1 Kings 15:5 might seem inconsistent because it praises King David for always obeying the Lord, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. However, David had other transgressions, like multiple marriages and counting the Israelites against God's will. This could appear contradictory since it suggests David was mostly flawless except for one major sin.
Paradox #3
1 Kings 15:5 states that David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. However, other parts of the Bible mention additional mistakes made by David, such as his taking a census of Israel (2 Samuel 24:1-10), which was considered a sin, and his dealings with Nabal (1 Samuel 25), where his initial reaction was not righteous. This could be seen as a contradiction or inconsistency in how his life is portrayed.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in 1 Kings 15:5 is that it says King David did what was right except in the case of Uriah. However, David committed several other sins, like taking multiple wives, which could be seen as inconsistent with the idea that he always did what was right.