Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 28:18

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 28:18 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 28:18. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, because the king did not listen to God or do what God wanted him to do with the Amalek people, God has caused something bad to happen to him. This teaches that it is important to listen to and follow what God says.

1 Samuel 28:18: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20

This verse emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their own sins, contradicting the idea of Saul's punishment for ancestral disobedience.

Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16

It states that children should not be put to death for their parents' sins, opposing the collective punishment seen in 1 Samuel 28:18.

Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Contradiction with Proverbs 21:1

Suggests that the heart of a king is guided by the Lord, contradicting the notion of Saul's ultimate downfall due to disobedience without divine intervention.

Proverbs 21:1: The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Contradiction with Romans 8:28

Indicates that all things work for good for those who love God, contrasting with Saul's negative fate despite his relationship with God.

Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in this verse arises from the issue of consulting mediums or necromancers, which God prohibited in other parts of the Bible. The conflict is with God’s commands against seeking guidance from such sources, versus the actions taken in this story.

Paradox #2

1 Samuel 28:18 presents a moral conflict because it deals with Saul's disobedience to God and his subsequent punishment. The contradiction arises from the idea of divine justice versus mercy: God punishes Saul for his actions, yet this raises questions about whether humans should always face harsh consequences for their mistakes or if there should be room for forgiveness and redemption. This can be seen as inconsistent with other parts of the Bible where forgiveness is emphasized.

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