Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 1:3

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 1:3 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 1:3. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of 1 Samuel, a man named Elkanah would go on a trip every year to a place called Shiloh to pray and give gifts to God. There, he would see two special leaders, the sons of Eli, whose names were Hophni and Phinehas.

1 Samuel 1:3: And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there. [yearly: Heb. from year to year]

Contradiction with Exodus 20:3

1 Samuel 1:3 mentions worshiping the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, which might contrast with the commandment to have no other gods, raising questions about the exclusive worship in Exodus.

Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:12-14

While 1 Samuel 1:3 describes worship at Shiloh, Jeremiah 7:12-14 speaks of the destruction of Shiloh as a warning to return to true worship, suggesting a fallibility or impermanence of worship locations.

Jeremiah 7:12-14: But go ye now unto my place which [was] in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

Contradiction with John 4:21-24

1 Samuel 1:3 involves worship at a specific place (Shiloh), whereas John emphasizes worship in spirit and truth, not confined to a physical location.

John 4:21-24: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Contradiction with Acts 7:48

The verse in 1 Samuel notes worship at a specific location, contrasting with Acts 7:48 which states that the Most High does not dwell in temples made by human hands.

Acts 7:48: Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Contradiction with Hebrews 10:1-2

While 1 Samuel 1:3 involves annual sacrifice, these verses indicate that the law and its offerings were a shadow of good things to come, and could not make worshippers perfect.

Hebrews 10:1-2: For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Contradiction with Isaiah 1:11-13

1 Samuel 1:3 emphasizes sacrifice and worship, but Isaiah suggests that God takes no pleasure in sacrifices and offerings when unaccompanied by genuine obedience and righteousness.

Isaiah 1:11-13: To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. [he goats: Heb. great he goats]

Contradiction with Mark 12:33

1 Samuel 1:3 involves a religious ritual, but Mark points out that loving God and fellow man is more critical than ritual sacrifice.

Mark 12:33: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Contradiction with Psalm 51:16-17

Samuel speaks of offerings, while Psalms notes that God desires a broken and contrite heart more than sacrifice.

Psalm 51:16-17: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering. [else...: or, that I should]

Paradox #1

The contradiction or inconsistency in 1 Samuel 1:3 is that it mentions Elkanah going to the temple of the LORD in Shiloh, even though the First Temple in Jerusalem, which is often associated with temple worship, was not built until later by King Solomon. At the time, the central place of worship was a temporary tabernacle, which can cause confusion about the term "temple" in this context.

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