2 Kings 13:6 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of 2 Kings, even though the people knew it was wrong, they kept doing the bad things Jeroboam started, which made God sad because they didn't listen to Him. They continued to worship false gods and kept the special place in Samaria where they did this.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 10:28-29

While 2 Kings 13:6 mentions that they did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, 2 Kings 10:28-29 claims that Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel, suggesting some reform was attempted.

2 Kings 10:28-29: Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 12:30

This verse explains that Jeroboam's sin was in establishing calf worship in Bethel and Dan, whereas 2 Kings 13:6 criticizes not departing from this sin without explicitly detailing idolatry through images.

1 Kings 12:30: And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 15:14

This verse states that although Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord, the high places were not removed, indicating a partial adherence to God's commands unlike the complete turnaround expected in 2 Kings 13:6.

1 Kings 15:14: But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 15:17

Describes that although high places were not removed, Asa had a perfect heart, showing a difference in what is considered as remaining in sin compared to 2 Kings 13:6.

2 Chronicles 15:17: But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 23:17

Illustrates the people broke the house of Baal and destroyed its altars, contrasting with 2 Kings 13:6 where they did not remove the idols or changed previous sinful ways.

2 Chronicles 23:17: Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 16:30-31

Conveys that Ahab did more to provoke the Lord with his sins, surpassing Jeroboam, suggesting a more severe sin than not departing from Jeroboam's sins as stated in 2 Kings 13:6.

1 Kings 16:30-31: And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that [were] before him.

Paradox #1

The contradiction or conflict in 2 Kings 13:6 could be seen in the way it highlights ongoing idol worship despite previous warnings and reforms. It raises the question of why people continue practices that are considered wrong according to biblical teachings, even after understanding the consequences. This inconsistency between knowing what is right but continuing to do wrong can be seen as a moral conflict.