Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 14:35

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 14:35 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 14:35. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to whoever wrote the book of 1 Samuel, King Saul made an altar to pray and give gifts to God, and it was the first time he built something like this for God. It shows that Saul was trying to be close to God by doing something special.

1 Samuel 14:35: And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. [the same...: Heb. that altar he began to build unto the LORD]

Contradiction with Exodus 20:24

This verse prescribes building an altar of earth and mentions offering sacrifices upon it, possibly suggesting a focus on simpler, more accessible materials for altars, which might contrast with the prescribed method in 1 Samuel 14:35.

Exodus 20:24: An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 27:5-6

These verses command the building of an altar of unhewn stones upon entering the Promised Land, suggesting a divergence in construction methods.

Deuteronomy 27:5-6: And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 18:30-32

Elijah's altar built with twelve stones may contradict the specific instructions for altar construction seen in 1 Samuel 14:35, illustrating variations in altar building practices.

1 Kings 18:30-32: And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.

Contradiction with Exodus 27:1-2

The altar described here for the tabernacle involves acacia wood and specific dimensions, contrasting with the altar built by Saul without such detailed specifications.

Exodus 27:1-2: And thou shalt make an altar [of] shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits.

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 4:1

Describes Solomon's altar of bronze, which contrasts in materials and possibly intention with Samuel's altar of stone in 1 Samuel 14:35.

2 Chronicles 4:1: Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
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