Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:35

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:35 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:35. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book, God helped David, a shepherd boy, to be brave and strong. David trusted God and was able to save his sheep from a dangerous lion.

1 Samuel 17:35: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 17:50

Contradicts by stating David killed Goliath with a sling and stone, without mention of lion or bear.

1 Samuel 17:50: So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but [there was] no sword in the hand of David.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:19

Contradicts by attributing the slaying of Goliath to Elhanan, not David.

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

One possible historical inconsistency related to this part of the story of David and Goliath is that there are different accounts of David's introduction to Saul. In 1 Samuel 16, David is introduced to Saul as a musician who plays the harp for him. However, in 1 Samuel 17, after David defeats Goliath, Saul does not seem to recognize David, asking about his family background. This presents a contradiction regarding how well Saul knows David and when he first meets him.

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