Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
2 Chronicles 34:3 indicates Josiah began seeking the God of David, his father, but Exodus 20:3 commands not to have other gods, suggesting that seeking should not start anew with each generation.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 21:19-22
Josiah's predecessor, Amon, did evil in the sight of the Lord. This suggests a contradiction in the generational continuity of seeking God.
2 Kings 21:19-22: Amon [was] twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:6
Solomon turned away from seeking the Lord later in his life, contradicting the idea that seeking God is a consistent pursuit within any individual's lifetime.
1 Kings 11:6: And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as [did] David his father. [went...: Heb. fulfilled not after]
Contradiction with Judges 2:10-12
After Joshua's generation, the Israelites forsook God, contradicting the continuity of seeking Him through generations as Josiah did.
Judges 2:10-12: And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 33:9
Manasseh, Josiah's grandfather, led Judah astray, contradicting the notion that Josiah's act of seeking God was a continuation of his forebears’ actions.
2 Chronicles 33:9: So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, [and] to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
Contradiction with Isaiah 29:13
This verse points out hypocrisy in worship, contradicting the pure heart seeking described in Josiah's actions.
Isaiah 29:13: Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Contradiction with Psalm 14:2-3
This suggests no one seeks God genuinely, which contradicts Josiah's described actions.
Psalm 14:2-3: The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
Contradiction with Romans 3:11
States that no one seeks God, presenting a contradiction to Josiah's initiative in 2 Chronicles 34:3.
Romans 3:11: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 23:25
Josiah's uniqueness in turning to God with his whole heart, soul, and might implies others did not seek God similarly, which could contradict the idea that seeking God was common.
2 Kings 23:25: And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there [any] like him.
Paradox #1
Historically, there might be a contradiction regarding the age at which King Josiah began seeking God, as mentioned in that verse. Some interpretations conflict with the timeline of events and King Josiah's religious reforms, compared to other historical records and biblical passages. This can lead to debates about the chronology and consistency of the biblical narrative.