1 Kings 8:30 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of the book of Kings, this verse means God listens to people when they pray to Him, especially when they pray in a special place, and God is ready to forgive them. It's like when you talk to your parent and they listen and help you when you say sorry.

Contradiction with Proverb 15:29

This verse states that the Lord is far from the wicked, contradicting the notion of God always hearing prayers as mentioned in 1 Kings 8:30.

Proverb 15:29:

Contradiction with Isaiah 59:2

This verse explains how iniquities separate people from God, suggesting He may not always hear their prayers, which contradicts 1 Kings 8:30.

Isaiah 59:2: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear. [have hid: or, have made him hide]

Contradiction with John 9:31

This verse indicates that God does not hear sinners, conflicting with the inclusiveness of those whose prayers are heard according to 1 Kings 8:30.

John 9:31: Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Contradiction with Proverbs 28:9

This verse says that turning away from hearing the law makes prayers an abomination, contradicting the idea presented in 1 Kings 8:30 that prayer is always heard.

Proverbs 28:9: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

Contradiction with James 4:3

This verse explains that prayers can go unanswered if they are asked with wrong motives, contradicting the assurance of being heard in 1 Kings 8:30.

James 4:3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. [lusts: or, pleasures]

Contradiction with Isaiah 1:15

This verse describes a scenario where God will not hear prayers, which contradicts the assurance of God hearing prayers in 1 Kings 8:30.

Isaiah 1:15: And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. [make...: Heb. multiply prayer] [blood: Heb. bloods]

Paradox #1

1 Kings 8:30 could be seen as having a doctrinal conflict with the idea that God is omnipresent and can hear prayers from anywhere. The verse suggests that God listens to prayers specifically directed toward the temple, which could imply that His attention or presence is more focused there compared to other places. This might seem inconsistent with the belief that God is equally present everywhere and can hear prayers from any location.