Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 7:14

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 7:14 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 7:14. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Samuel, this verse means that God helped Israel get their cities back from the Philistines and made peace with the Amorites. It's like when a friend helps you get back your toys and everyone decides to play nicely together.

1 Samuel 7:14: And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Contradiction with Joshua 21:43

This verse states that the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there, whereas 1 Samuel 7:14 suggests there were still territories like Ekron and Gath that were previously seized by the Philistines and were just being restored to Israel.

Joshua 21:43: And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.

Contradiction with Judges 1:19

This verse notes that the Lord was with Judah and they succeeded in taking possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had chariots of iron, which seems to contradict the idea of total victory and restoration mentioned in 1 Samuel 7:14.

Judges 1:19: And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out [the inhabitants of] the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. [drave...: or, possessed the mountain]

Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:8

This verse speaks of Hezekiah defeating the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, which might imply ongoing struggles with the Philistines contradicting the complete restoration mentioned in 1 Samuel 7:14.

2 Kings 18:8: He smote the Philistines, [even] unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. [Gaza: Heb. Azzah]

Contradiction with Judges 3:3

This verse lists the territories that the Israelites failed to conquer and that remained within the land, suggesting incomplete control and a different scenario from the restoration of lands in 1 Samuel 7:14.

Judges 3:3: [Namely], five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
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