Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 28:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 28:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 28:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book, Saul, who was a king, dressed up in different clothes so no one would know who he was. He went at night with two men to ask a lady to use her special powers to talk to someone who had died.

1 Samuel 28:8: And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me [him] up, whom I shall name unto thee.

Contradiction with Leviticus 19:31

Warns against turning to mediums and wizards, which is what Saul does in 1 Samuel 28:8.

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 Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Condemns divination and consulting the dead, actions Saul seeks in 1 Samuel 28:8.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12: 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 Isaiah 8:19

Advises against seeking mediums and wizards, contrasting Saul’s choice in the verse.

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 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Attributes Saul’s death to consulting a medium, contradicting his actions in 1 Samuel 28:8.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14: 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]

Contradiction with Leviticus 20:6

States that God will oppose those who turn to spirits, contrasting Saul’s behavior.

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.

Paradox #1

The contradiction in 1 Samuel 28:8 arises from the fact that Saul seeks guidance from a medium, which goes against the earlier Biblical laws prohibiting necromancy and consulting spirits. This action conflicts with the teachings found in Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which clearly forbid seeking out mediums and spiritists.

Paradox #2

This verse involves King Saul seeking a medium to communicate with the dead, which is against other biblical teachings that prohibit communicating with spirits or practicing divination (such as in Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The contradiction arises because Saul, who had previously expelled mediums from the land in obedience to God's laws, is now seeking one himself. This shows a conflict between his actions and the religious laws he was expected to uphold.

Paradox #3

1 Samuel 28:8 describes Saul seeking guidance from the spirit medium of Endor, which contradicts earlier biblical laws that prohibit consultation with mediums or seeking contact with the dead (like in Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This inconsistency highlights a conflict between Saul's actions and the religious laws he was supposed to follow.

Paradox #4

The contradiction in this context is that the verse describes a person communicating with the dead through a medium. From a scientific standpoint, there's no evidence to support that communication with the dead is possible, as it contradicts our understanding of life and death, which holds that once brain activity ceases, the person can no longer interact with the living.

Paradox #5

The conflict in this situation is that earlier in the Bible, consulting mediums or spiritists is prohibited and seen as wrong. However, in this instance, Saul seeks guidance from a medium, which goes against those earlier rules and teachings. This creates an inconsistency between actions and beliefs.

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