Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 17:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 17:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 17:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the story of David in the Bible, a big giant named Goliath challenged the soldiers of Israel to send one person to fight him. Goliath was teasing them and asking if anyone was brave enough to come and face him because they were all supposed to be serving their king, Saul.

1 Samuel 17:8: And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set [your] battle in array? [am] not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

Contradiction with Exodus 14:14

Indicates that the Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace, contradicting the call to battle by a champion.

Exodus 14:14: The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:4

States that God goes with you to fight against your enemies, contrasting the challenge for Israel to choose a man to fight.

Deuteronomy 20:4: For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Contradiction with Psalm 46:10

Encourages being still and knowing God’s power, contrary to the challenge issued by Goliath for human combat.

Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Contradiction with Psalm 44:3

Emphasizes victory not by sword but by God's right hand and light of His countenance, opposing the human combat challenge.

Psalm 44:3: For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

Contradiction with Zechariah 4:6

Not by might, nor by power, but by Spirit, which contrasts the reliance on physical power in Goliath’s challenge.

Zechariah 4:6: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. [might: or, army]

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 20:15

Reminds that the battle is not theirs but God's, contrary to the invitation for a physical duel in Goliath's challenge.

2 Chronicles 20:15: And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.

Paradox #1

Certain historical questions arise around the story of David and Goliath, which 1 Samuel 17:8 is a part of. One issue is related to differing accounts of who killed Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David is the one who defeats Goliath, but in 2 Samuel 21:19, another figure named Elhanan is mentioned as killing Goliath. This contradiction creates confusion about who actually killed Goliath.

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