Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 4:18

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 4:18 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 4:18. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, when Eli heard that the special box of God was taken, he was so shocked that he fell off his chair, hurt himself, and died because he was old. Eli had been a leader of the people of Israel for a long time, for forty years.

1 Samuel 4:18: And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 2:31

1 Samuel 4:18 mentions the death of Eli due to falling backward, while 1 Samuel 2:31 prophesies the cutting off of strength from Eli's house.

1 Samuel 2:31: Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 2:32

1 Samuel 4:18 describes Eli's immediate death, whereas 1 Samuel 2:32 suggests he would see distress in the tabernacle before his descendants faced adversity.

1 Samuel 2:32: And thou shalt see an enemy [in my] habitation, in all [the wealth] which [God] shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. [an enemy...: or, the affliction of the tabernacle, for all the wealth which God would have given Israel]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 2:33

1 Samuel 4:18 recounts Eli's death at an old age, but 1 Samuel 2:33 discusses sparing one to weep over the house but not to live for old age.

1 Samuel 2:33: And the man of thine, [whom] I shall not cut off from mine altar, [shall be] to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. [in the flower...: Heb. men]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 3:14

1 Samuel 4:18 notes Eli's fall after hearing the news of the Ark, while 1 Samuel 3:14 implies ongoing consequences for Eli's house, not an instant personal fate.

1 Samuel 3:14: And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Contradiction with Judges 8:23

Eli dies concerned for the Ark, yet Judges 8:23 attributes leadership to God alone and not to human oversight such as Eli's misunderstood guardianship.

Judges 8:23: And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
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