Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 4:12

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 4:12 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 4:12. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, this verse tells about a man who ran from the battlefield to deliver bad news. He tore his clothes and put dirt on his head to show he was very sad.

1 Samuel 4:12: And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 4:13

This verse mentions that the people were watching for the ark and not concerned about the messenger or his message, which contradicts the alarm and attention given to the messenger in 1 Samuel 4:12.

1 Samuel 4:13: And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told [it], all the city cried out.

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 18:19-20

Ahimaaz wants to run and bring David news, but Joab stops him, indicating messengers don't always have the liberty to bring messages, unlike the swift messenger in 1 Samuel 4:12.

2 Samuel 18:19-20: Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. [avenged...: Heb. judged him from the hand, etc]

Contradiction with Isaiah 52:7

Describes the beauty of bringing good news, whereas 1 Samuel 4:12 involved a messenger bringing much sorrowful news to Eli.

Isaiah 52:7: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Contradiction with 1 Kings 14:6

The prophet Ahijah already knew the news Jeroboam's wife was bringing, unlike in 1 Samuel 4:12, where the messenger ran to deliver unexpected news.

1 Kings 14:6: And it was [so], when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself [to be] another? for I [am] sent to thee [with] heavy [tidings]. [heavy: Heb. hard]

Contradiction with Proverbs 25:25

States that good news is refreshing, contrasting with the dire news brought in 1 Samuel 4:12.

Proverbs 25:25: [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
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