Contradiction with Deuteronomy 21:23
This verse instructs that a hanged body should not remain on a tree overnight, implying practices aligned with certain types of burial and treatment of bodies that might contrast with specific actions in 1 Samuel 31:12.
Deuteronomy 21:23: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance. [accursed...: Heb. the curse of God]
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 31:9-10
These verses describe the display of Saul's body by the Philistines, which contrasts with the reverent actions of the men of Jabesh-gilead in 1 Samuel 31:12 where they recover and burn the bodies.
1 Samuel 31:9-10: And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people.
Contradiction with Job 20:7
This verse speaks about wicked people perishing like dung, which can be seen as contrasting with the respectful retrieval and burning of bodies in 1 Samuel 31:12.
Job 20:7: [Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?
Contradiction with Acts 2:29
Refers to David's tomb being with them to that day, suggesting traditional burial in a tomb as opposed to the burning mentioned in 1 Samuel 31:12.
Acts 2:29: Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [let me: or, I may]
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 3:20
Speaks of all returning to dust, highlighting a natural process which could contrast with the act of burning bodies as in 1 Samuel 31:12.
Ecclesiastes 3:20: All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Paradox #1
Some people point out that in 1 Samuel 31:12, it says the bodies of Saul and his sons were burned, which is unusual because cremation was not a common practice among the Israelites, who typically preferred burial. This contradiction raises questions about why burning was chosen in this instance.
Paradox #2
1 Samuel 31:12 describes an act of respect and honor for the deceased, which can be seen as conflicting with other biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of the living over the dead, or teachings that forbid the touching of dead bodies due to ritual impurity. This creates a tension between showing honor to the dead and adhering to religious purity laws.
Paradox #3
In 1 Samuel 31:12, the potential contradiction or inconsistency arises when comparing it with 1 Chronicles 10:12. Both passages describe the same event but may have slightly different numbers or details mentioned, which can lead to confusion or seeming contradictions about the account.