Contradiction with 1 Samuel 16:1
God instructs Samuel to anoint David as king, while in 1 Samuel 16:19, David is summoned to serve Saul, the current king, which could seem contradictory in terms of allegiance.
1 Samuel 16:1: And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 15:35
This verse states that Samuel did not go to see Saul again, yet in 1 Samuel 16:19, Samuel's actions lead to David being in Saul's service, indirectly involving Samuel with Saul's court again.
1 Samuel 15:35: And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 16:13
David is anointed by Samuel as the future king, contradicting 1 Samuel 16:19 where David is sent to serve the current king Saul.
1 Samuel 16:13: Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:55
In this verse, Saul does not recognize David, which contradicts 1 Samuel 16:19, where Saul is aware of David and specifically sends for him.
1 Samuel 17:55: And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son [is] this youth? And Abner said, [As] thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:58
Saul asks David who he is, which contradicts the earlier chapter (1 Samuel 16:19) where Saul had already been introduced to David.
1 Samuel 17:58: And Saul said to him, Whose son [art] thou, [thou] young man? And David answered, I [am] the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 14:52
Saul is described as always seeking valiant men, yet in 1 Samuel 16:19, he calls for David, known for his musical ability rather than his prowess in battle.
1 Samuel 14:52: And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
Paradox #1
1 Samuel 16:19 might present a contradiction because it describes David being summoned to serve King Saul. However, earlier in the narrative, David is presented as if he is unknown to Saul when he later encounters him in the story of David and Goliath. This creates confusion about whether Saul already knew David before the famous battle, given that David had already been serving him. This inconsistency leads to questions about the chronological order of events or variations in source stories.