Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 23:9

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 23:9 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 23:9. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the Book of Samuel, David understood that King Saul wanted to hurt him, so David asked the priest Abiathar to bring a special item called the ephod to help him ask God for guidance.

1 Samuel 23:9: And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

Contradiction with Proverbs 3:5

While 1 Samuel 23:9 depicts David seeking divine guidance through the ephod, Proverbs 3:5 advises relying on trust in the Lord without leaning on one's understanding, which could imply a contradiction in using objects or intermediaries for seeking God's will.

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Contradiction with Matthew 4:7

Jesus' response in Matthew advises not to test God, contrasting with David's inquiry through the ephod in 1 Samuel 23:9, which involves testing God's guidance for decisions.

Matthew 4:7: Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof]

Contradiction with Isaiah 8:19

This verse warns against seeking guidance through mediums or objects instead of God directly, potentially conflicting with David's use of the ephod for divine consultation in 1 Samuel 23:9.

Isaiah 8:19: And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:5

Jeremiah speaks against trusting in human means rather than in the Lord, which may be seen as contradictory if interpreting David’s act of using the ephod in 1 Samuel 23:9 as reliance on a tangible object for guidance.

Jeremiah 17:5: Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Contradiction with 1 John 4:1

Encourages testing spirits to ensure they are from God, which suggests a more cautious approach than David's direct usage of the ephod in 1 Samuel 23:9 for obtaining divine direction.

1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
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