Contradiction with Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent. This suggests God's decisions are unchangeable, yet 1 Samuel 15:28 shows God changing His decision regarding Saul's kingship.
Numbers 23:19: God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 13:13-14
God had already decided to appoint a new king in Saul's place before 1 Samuel 15:28, suggesting a prior revocation of Saul’s kingdom.
1 Samuel 13:13-14: And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
Contradiction with 2 Samuel 7:15-16
References God's promise not to take His mercy away from David, unlike with Saul, showing a contrast in God's actions towards different kings.
2 Samuel 7:15-16: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
Contradiction with Malachi 3:6
For I am the Lord, I change not. This implies God's constancy, casting contrast with His decision to change Saul's kingship.
Malachi 3:6: For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Contradiction with Psalms 89:34
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Contrasts with God revoking His commitment to Saul as expressed in 1 Samuel 15:28.
Psalms 89:34: My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Paradox #1
The contradiction arises in the context of God changing His mind. Earlier in the Bible, it is suggested that God does not change His mind or repent, but in 1 Samuel 15:28, it might seem like God changes His decision regarding Saul and his kingship. This brings up questions about the consistency of God’s nature in terms of immutability and decision-making.
Paradox #2
1 Samuel 15:28 talks about God taking the kingdom away from Saul and giving it to someone better. The potential contradiction might be with verses that emphasize God's unchanging nature or His promises, such as Numbers 23:19, which says God does not change His mind. This could seem inconsistent because it involves a change in God's decision about Saul's kingship, even though it aligns with the idea of divine judgment and justice.
Paradox #3
The possible contradiction or conflict could be related to the fact that while 1 Samuel 15:28 indicates a certain event, later parts of the Bible suggest a complex situation with lasting effects that seem to contrast with the immediate outcome described in the verse. This might lead some to see a discrepancy between what was declared and how events actually unfolded over time.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in 1 Samuel 15:28 could be seen in the idea of divine punishment and fairness. God chooses Saul as king and later rejects him for disobedience. This raises questions about human free will versus divine will and the fairness of punishing someone for disobedience if their choices are influenced by God's will or plan. This could seem inconsistent with a notion of a benevolent and just deity.