Contradiction with Judges 7:12
Describes the Midianites and Amalekites as numerous "like grasshoppers" and their camels "without number," contradicting the exact count given for Philistine chariots in 1 Samuel 13:5.
Judges 7:12: And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels [were] without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 8:4
Mentions that David had 700 horsemen and 20,000 footmen, suggesting a smaller scale of forces compared to the 30,000 chariots of the Philistines in 1 Samuel 13:5.
2 Samuel 8:4: And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots. [from...: or, of his chariots]
Contradiction with 1 Kings 10:26
States that Solomon had 1,400 chariots, conflicting with the 30,000 chariots reportedly fielded by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 13:5, which would be an unusually large number.
1 Kings 10:26: And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
Contradiction with Joshua 11:4
Talks about a great multitude, even as the sand on the seashore, similar to 1 Samuel 13:5 but in a different context, raising questions about hyperbolic descriptions.
Joshua 11:4: And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that [is] upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 14:9
Zerah the Ethiopian came against Asa with an army of "a thousand thousand," which is a larger number than the Philistine force in 1 Samuel 13:5, leading to inconsistency in military sizes.
2 Chronicles 14:9: And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
Paradox #1
The contradiction in 1 Samuel 13:5 arises from the numbers involved. It mentions 30,000 chariots used by the Philistines, which seems exaggerated given the historical and logistical context of ancient armies. Deploying such a large number of chariots would have been highly improbable. This discrepancy leads some scholars to consider it a possible textual or translation error.
Paradox #2
Numerical contradictions or inconsistencies in 1 Samuel 13:5 can arise from different manuscript traditions, specifically regarding the number of Philistine chariots. Some translations mention 30,000 chariots, while others mention 3,000. This discrepancy is likely due to differences in ancient manuscript copies.