Contradiction with Deuteronomy 18:10-11
This verse prohibits divination, witchcraft, and consulting the dead, which Saul seeks in 1 Samuel 28:3.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11: There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Contradiction with Leviticus 19:31
Warns against seeking mediums or wizards, contradicting Saul’s actions after the death of Samuel.
Leviticus 19:31: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
Contradiction with Isaiah 8:19
Advises seeking God rather than consulting the dead, opposing Saul’s pursuit of 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 Leviticus 20:6
States that turning to mediums will result in being cut off from God, contradicting Saul's attempt to consult one.
Leviticus 20:6: And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 10:13
Indicates that Saul died for consulting a medium, contradicting his actions in seeking guidance this way.
1 Chronicles 10:13: So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it]; [committed: Heb. transgressed]
Paradox #1
1 Samuel 28:3 might seem contradictory because earlier in the Bible, in books like Deuteronomy, consulting mediums or spiritists is strictly forbidden. In this verse, though, the story involves someone seeking out a medium, which could appear inconsistent with those earlier teachings.
Paradox #2
In 1 Samuel 28:3, it says that Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. However, later in the same chapter, Saul himself seeks out a medium to communicate with the prophet Samuel. This creates a contradiction because Saul is going against his own earlier actions and decisions to remove such practices.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in 1 Samuel 28:3 could be seen in the context of Saul's actions. Despite previously banning mediums and spiritists, Saul later seeks out a medium to contact the deceased prophet Samuel. This represents a conflict between his rules and his actions, reflecting inconsistency in upholding what he enforced as king.