Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 26:7

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 26:7 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 26:7. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, David and his friend Abishai quietly went to where King Saul was sleeping at night. Even though they could have hurt Saul, they chose not to, showing that David wanted to do the right thing and respect Saul as the king.

1 Samuel 26:7: So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:13

While 1 Samuel 26:7 depicts David refraining from taking Saul’s life, Exodus 20:13 insists on the commandment "Thou shalt not kill," emphasizing the contradiction between the allowance for killing in battle contexts found in the preceding chapters of 1 Samuel and the absolute prohibition in Exodus.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:44

1 Samuel 26:7 presents a scenario of potential violence and conflict, whereas Matthew 5:44 encourages loving one's enemies and blessing those who curse you, presenting a different approach to handling adversaries.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Contradiction with Romans 12:19

1 Samuel 26:7 has implications of potential vengeance in the surrounding narrative, whereas Romans 12:19 advises against taking vengeance, instead leaving room for God’s wrath, contradicting the immediate readiness for conflict in 1 Samuel.

Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Contradiction with Proverbs 24:17

The relief in refraining from killing in 1 Samuel 26:7 contrasts with the instruction in Proverbs 24:17 to not rejoice when an enemy falls, giving a different perspective on handling adversaries.

Proverbs 24:17: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in 1 Samuel 26:7 could involve the idea of showing mercy versus taking justice into one's own hands. In this story, a character chooses not to harm someone who might be seen as an enemy, raising questions about whether showing mercy is the right choice when it's within one's power to remove a threat. This situation might conflict with other biblical teachings about justice and dealing with enemies, creating a tension between mercy and justice.

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