Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 20:38

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 20:38 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 20:38. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, this part of the story shows how Jonathan was helping his friend David by using a secret signal with arrows. Jonathan told the boy to hurry and get the arrows, which was a way to secretly tell David it was time to run away to stay safe.

1 Samuel 20:38: And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 20:22

In 1 Samuel 20:22, Jonathan signals to David that danger is near by shooting arrows, whereas in 1 Samuel 20:38, the arrows are mentioned with the context of being retrieved by the lad.

1 Samuel 20:22: But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows [are] beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 18:1-4

This passage describes the close bond and covenant between Jonathan and David, seeming to contradict the notion of pursuit and danger indicated by the action in 1 Samuel 20:38.

1 Samuel 18:1-4: And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Contradiction with Proverbs 20:3

This verse advises avoidance of strife, which contrasts with the urgency and hidden conflict symbolized by Jonathan's actions in 1 Samuel 20:38.

Proverbs 20:3: [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Contradiction with James 3:17

Speaks of peace and being easy to be entreated, contrasting with the secretive and tense atmosphere of 1 Samuel 20:38.

James 3:17: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [partiality: or, wrangling]
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