Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Samuel 8:18

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Samuel 8:18 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Samuel 8:18. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the prophet Samuel, if the people choose a king to rule over them instead of listening to God, there will come a time when they will be unhappy and ask God for help, but He won't listen to them. It's like when you make a decision and it doesn't go well, and even if you ask for help, sometimes you have to face the consequences first.

1 Samuel 8:18: And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

Contradiction with Romans 13:1

Romans 13:1 contradicts 1 Samuel 8:18 by urging submission to governing authorities, asserting they are appointed by God, while 1 Samuel 8:18 depicts crying out against a king as being unheard by God.

Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [ordained: or, ordered]

Contradiction with 1 Peter 2:13-14

1 Peter 2:13-14 instructs believers to submit to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whereas 1 Samuel 8:18 indicates a time when the people will lament their king with no divine response.

1 Peter 2:13-14: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Contradiction with Proverbs 21:1

Proverbs 21:1 suggests that the king's heart is guided by the Lord, implying righteousness in leadership, which is at odds with 1 Samuel 8:18 portraying a king as potentially oppressive with God not listening to the people's cries.

Proverbs 21:1: The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Paradox #1

1 Samuel 8:18 presents a situation where the people are warned they will cry out for relief from the king they chose, but the Lord will not answer them. A possible theological conflict here is the idea of God not responding to people in distress, which might seem inconsistent with the view of God as compassionate and attentive to prayers. This can raise questions about free will, divine punishment, and God's responsiveness to human suffering.

Paradox #2

The potential contradiction in 1 Samuel 8:18 could be that people are warned they will cry out because of their king, yet they still demand a king against God's warnings. This seems inconsistent with trusting God for leadership rather than human desires.

Paradox #3

The moral conflict in this verse arises from the situation where people want a king to lead them, even when warned that this would lead to future suffering and injustice. The contradiction lies in their choice to prioritize immediate desires over considering long-term consequences, reflecting a tension between free will and making decisions that align with divine guidance.

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