Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 15:21

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 15:21 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 15:21. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Samuel, the people took animals they were supposed to destroy and planned to offer them as gifts to God instead. They thought giving these animals to God would be better, but that wasn't what they were told to do.

1 Samuel 15:21: But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:15

"Thou shalt not steal" contradicts with 1 Samuel 15:21, where items are taken from the Amalekites against the commandment to destroy everything.

Exodus 20:15: Thou shalt not steal.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:32

"Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you" contradicts with the act of sparing the best of the sheep and oxen in 1 Samuel 15:21 instead of complete destruction.

Deuteronomy 5:32: Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Contradiction with Proverbs 21:3

"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice" contradicts with the justification of sparing animals for sacrifice in 1 Samuel 15:21, rather than obeying God's command.

Proverbs 21:3: To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Paradox #1

One possible contradiction in 1 Samuel 15:21 is related to obedience to God's commands. In this context, Saul said that the people took the best of what should have been destroyed to offer as sacrifices to God. This seems to contradict the earlier command from God to destroy everything completely. The conflict arises because it raises the question of whether sacrifice can be justified when it goes against direct divine instructions, highlighting the tension between ritual and obedience.

Paradox #2

The verse refers to a situation where actions were taken that contradicted a direct command from God. This can be seen as inconsistent with earlier instructions given by God to completely destroy certain things. The contradiction arises because people did what they thought was right instead of following the exact command.

Paradox #3

The contradiction or conflict in this verse may arise from the fact that it involves taking possessions that were meant to be completely destroyed as a form of devotion to God. This could conflict with the idea of full obedience to God's commands, as keeping some goods for sacrifice suggests partial obedience rather than following exactly what was commanded.

← 1 Samuel 15:20
Share
1 Samuel 15:22 →
Disclaimer: The content provided at PolarBible.com is for educational purposes only. Readers have the full right to agree or disagree with the interpretations and conclusions presented. We take no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken based on the information shared as Polar Verses.