Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Kings 20:34

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Kings 20:34 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Kings 20:34. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Kings, King Benhadad promised to give back the cities his dad took, and let the other king build streets in his city. King Ahab agreed, and they made a special promise to be friends and let Benhadad go free.

1 Kings 20:34: And [Benhadad] said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then [said Ahab], I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away. [streets: or, market places]

Contradiction with Matthew 5:44

This verse speaks about loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, which contrasts with the use of covenant-making and treaties in 1 Kings 20:34.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Contradiction with Exodus 34:12

Here, there is a warning against making covenants with inhabitants of the land, which contradicts the covenant made in 1 Kings 20:34.

Exodus 34:12: Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:2

This verse instructs Israel to not make covenants with or show mercy to certain nations, contrasting the treaty arranged in 1 Kings 20:34.

Deuteronomy 7:2: And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Contradiction with James 4:4

Highlights friendship with the world as enmity with God, which can be seen as a contradiction to forming political alliances as seen in 1 Kings 20:34.

James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Paradox #1

The contradiction or inconsistency might arise from the lack of extra-biblical evidence to confirm the events or the specific agreements mentioned in the verse. Some people question the historical accuracy of certain biblical accounts because they don't find matching records in other ancient documents. This can lead to debates about the historicity of the events described.

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