Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 7:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 7:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 7:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book, Samuel was a leader who traveled each year to different towns called Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh. He helped the people in these places by making fair decisions and guiding them.

1 Samuel 7:16: And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. [in circuit: Heb. and he circuited]

Contradiction with 1 Kings 3:9

Solomon asks for wisdom to judge the people, implying a king can handle judgment, unlike the regional judging approach of Samuel.

1 Kings 3:9: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [understanding: Heb. hearing]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 8:5

The Israelites demand a king to judge them, contrasting Samuel's circuit judging over Israel.

1 Samuel 8:5: And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 16:18

Establishes judges in each city, whereas Samuel judged by traveling in a circuit.

Deuteronomy 16:18: Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Contradiction with Exodus 18:25-26

Appoints judges over smaller groups, diverging from Samuel's personal circuit judgeship.

Exodus 18:25-26: And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 12:2

Samuel mentions his governance is ending, differing from his active judging stated earlier.

1 Samuel 12:2: And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons [are] with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
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