Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 9:5
Ecclesiastes 9:5 states that the dead know nothing, which contradicts 1 Samuel 28:19, where Samuel, appearing after death, communicates knowledge of Saul’s fate.
Ecclesiastes 9:5: For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Contradiction with Hebrews 9:27
Hebrews 9:27 indicates that humans die once and then face judgment, contradicting the idea of Samuel's spirit returning to deliver a message in 1 Samuel 28:19.
Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Contradiction with Isaiah 8:19
Isaiah 8:19 advises against consulting the dead, while 1 Samuel 28:19 describes Saul receiving a prophecy from the deceased Samuel through a medium.
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 Luke 16:31
In Luke 16:31, it is implied that the dead do not return to provide warnings to the living, which contradicts Samuel’s interaction with Saul in 1 Samuel 28:19.
Luke 16:31: And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Contradiction with Job 14:12
Job 14:12 mentions that the dead do not rise or return to interact with the living until the heavens are no more, contradicting the event of Samuel speaking to Saul after his death in 1 Samuel 28:19.
Job 14:12: So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Paradox #1
The verse in question involves a medium communicating with Saul, which contradicts other parts of the Bible that prohibit seeking guidance from such sources. This presents a conflict because seeking advice from spirits is discouraged elsewhere, yet it occurs here in the narrative.
Paradox #2
1 Samuel 28:19 might seem to have a contradiction because elsewhere in the Bible, it warns against communicating with the dead and consulting mediums. However, in this verse, Saul consults a medium to speak with the deceased prophet Samuel. This can appear inconsistent with the teachings throughout the Bible that advise against such practices.
Paradox #3
One contradiction or inconsistency related to this verse is that it describes the spirit of Samuel predicting Saul's downfall, which raises questions about the coexistence of biblical prohibitions against necromancy and the narrative's implication that a spirit was successfully summoned to deliver a true prophecy. In Jewish and Christian teachings, contacting the dead is generally forbidden, yet this account depicts what seems to be a genuine encounter with Samuel's spirit. This can lead to conflicting interpretations about the nature of these events within biblical texts.
Paradox #4
One possible contradiction in the context of 1 Samuel 28:19 could be the idea that God allows or causes suffering or death as a form of punishment, which might conflict with the belief in a loving and forgiving God. This presents a tension between justice and mercy.
Paradox #5
1 Samuel 28:19 might seem to have a numerical inconsistency when compared with other verses describing events surrounding the fate of Saul and his sons. In 1 Samuel 31:6, it's stated that Saul's three sons died with him, whereas 1 Samuel 28:19 suggests that Saul and his sons would be delivered into the hands of the Philistines. The potential inconsistency lies in the interpretation of the fate of all Saul's sons, as different texts or translations might imply different numbers or specifics regarding their fate.