Contradiction with Genesis 15:18-21
God promised Abraham all the land of the Canaanites as an inheritance, yet in 2 Chronicles 8:7, the descendants of the Canaanites were still in the land and subject to forced labor.
Genesis 15:18-21: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:16-17
God commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations, but in 2 Chronicles 8:7, Canaanite people are still present and subjected to labor instead of being destroyed.
Deuteronomy 20:16-17: But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
Contradiction with Joshua 11:19-20
It states that no city made peace with the Israelites but were taken in battle, suggesting complete destruction, whereas 2 Chronicles 8:7 notes Canaanites were left in the land and subjected to labor.
Joshua 11:19-20: There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took in battle.
Contradiction with Judges 1:28
The Israelites are said to put the Canaanites to forced labor rather than driving them out, which aligns with 2 Chronicles 8:7 but contradicts earlier commands to destroy them completely.
Judges 1:28: And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
Contradiction with Exodus 23:31-33
God commanded the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants to prevent them from leading Israel into sin, which contrasts with 2 Chronicles 8:7 where the Canaanites remain in the land.
Exodus 23:31-33: And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
Paradox #1
The contradiction or inconsistency could relate to the differing accounts of the people who were subjected to forced labor in various parts of the Old Testament. Different books might provide varying lists or descriptions of these groups, leading to potential discrepancies in identifying who exactly was conscripted for labor during Solomon’s reign.
Paradox #2
2 Chronicles 8:7 mentions Solomon using non-Israelite people for forced labor. The contradiction here could be that while the Bible often speaks against oppression and emphasizes love and kindness towards others, this verse describes a scenario where a group of people is subjected to forced labor, which could be seen as exploitative and unfair. This might seem inconsistent with the overarching messages of justice and compassion found elsewhere in the Bible.