Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 31:8

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 31:8 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 31:8. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of 1 Samuel, the Philistines came back the next day to take things from the people who had died in the battle. They found King Saul and his three sons dead on the mountain called Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:8: And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 1:10

This verse suggests that Saul was killed by an Amalekite, whereas 1 Samuel 31:8 implies that Saul was already dead, found by the Philistines.

2 Samuel 1:10: So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 10:5

This verse states that Saul's armor-bearer also died, but 1 Samuel 31:8 mentions the Philistines finding Saul's body without referencing his armor-bearer in this context.

1 Chronicles 10:5: And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 28:19

It predicts that both Saul and his sons would die by the hands of the Philistines, whereas 1 Samuel 31:8 focuses on the aftermath, when the Philistines find the bodies, not the actual deaths.

1 Samuel 28:19: Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow [shalt] thou and thy sons [be] with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 21:12

This verse suggests that the bodies of Saul and his sons were retrieved from the Philistines by David, offering a narrative of respect, while 1 Samuel 31:8 indicates the initial desecration of the bodies by the Philistines.

2 Samuel 21:12: And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 31:4

This verse indicates that Saul committed suicide to avoid capture, while 1 Samuel 31:8 does not make his cause of death clear beyond the Philistines finding him dead.

1 Samuel 31:4: Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. [abuse...: or, mock me]

Paradox #1

The event in 1 Samuel 31:8, which involves the aftermath of a significant battle, might appear to conflict with the account in 2 Samuel 1 where a different story is told about King Saul's death. The inconsistency arises in how Saul's death is described and who is responsible for it. These differing details can be seen as contradictory.

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