Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:1

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:1 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:1. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of 1 Samuel, the Philistine army came together to fight the Israelites and set up their camp in a place called Shochoh, which was part of the land of Judah. This was the area where a big battle was going to happen between the Philistines and the Israelites.

1 Samuel 17:1: Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which [belongeth] to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. [Ephesdammim: or, the coast of Dammim, called Pasdammim]

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:19

This verse contradicts 1 Samuel 17:1 by suggesting that a different person, Elhanan, killed Goliath, whereas 1 Samuel 17 describes David as the one who killed Goliath.

2 Samuel 21:19: And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear [was] like a weaver's beam. [Jaareoregim: or, Jair]

Paradox #1

The contradiction related to 1 Samuel 17:1 could involve differences in textual sources about the locations or events described in the verse. This can create confusion about the precise historical or geographical details, as different manuscripts or translations might offer varying interpretations. Such inconsistencies can arise from copying errors, translation differences, or historical knowledge evolving over time.

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