Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:50

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:50 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:50. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, David was able to win against the big and strong Philistine with just a simple sling and a little stone, even though he did not have a sword. This story shows that with courage and faith, even a young boy can do great things.

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

This verse contradicts 1 Samuel 17:50 by stating that Elhanan, not David, 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]

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 20:5

This verse parallels 2 Samuel 21:19, attributing the slaying of Goliath to Elhanan rather than David, contradicting 1 Samuel 17:50.

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]

Paradox #1

1 Samuel 17:50 might seem contradictory due to different details in surrounding verses about how Goliath was killed—whether by a sling stone alone or also by David using Goliath's own sword to ensure his death. This can create confusion about the exact method by which Goliath died.

Paradox #2

There could be a perceived contradiction when comparing "1 Samuel 17:50" with "1 Samuel 17:51." In one verse, it seems that David defeats Goliath with a sling and stone, while the other mentions David using Goliath's own sword to kill him. The apparent inconsistency lies in what action actually caused Goliath's death. However, many interpret this as a two-step process: the stone incapacitated Goliath, and the sword was used to complete the defeat.

Paradox #3

Historical contradiction in 1 Samuel 17:50 could relate to descriptions of how David defeated Goliath, as there are inconsistencies in the account. In one part of the text, it states David killed Goliath with a sling and stone, whereas another part mentions David using Goliath's sword to finish him off. This discrepancy creates some confusion about the exact method of Goliath's defeat.

Paradox #4

The possible contradiction in 1 Samuel 17:50 is related to the description of how David defeated Goliath. In this verse, it states that David killed Goliath without a sword, using only a sling and a stone. However, another verse shortly after mentions David using Goliath's sword to kill him and cut off his head. This creates an inconsistency in the account of how Goliath died.

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