Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:21

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:21 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:21. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book, the Israelites and the Philistines were getting ready to fight each other, with both armies lined up for a big battle. It was like two teams getting ready before a big game or match.

1 Samuel 17:21: For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:19

This verse claims Elhanan killed Goliath, contradicting the account in 1 Samuel 17:21 where David is preparing to fight 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]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 16:14-23

This passage suggests David was already serving Saul before the battle with Goliath, conflicting with 1 Samuel 17 where Saul seems not to know David.

1 Samuel 16:14-23: But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. [troubled: or, terrified]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:55-58

Saul does not recognize David after he defeats Goliath, which contradicts the previous relationship described in earlier chapters where David played the harp for him.

1 Samuel 17:55-58: 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 Chronicles 20:5

Similar to 2 Samuel 21:19, it states that Elhanan killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, introducing further confusion about who killed whom.

1 Chronicles 20:5: And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff [was] like a weaver's beam. [Jair: also called, Jaareoregim]
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