Contradiction with Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him; this contradicts Ahaz's actions which did not please the Lord.
Proverbs 16:7: When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Contradiction with Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness; contradicts Ahaz's reign as unrighteous.
Proverbs 16:12: [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Contradiction with Proverbs 21:21
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour; contrasts with Ahaz's ways which were not righteous in the sight of the Lord.
Proverbs 21:21: He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 29:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done; contrasts Ahaz's actions which were not right like those of his father David.
2 Chronicles 29:2: And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 6:18
And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD; contradicts Ahaz's actions that were not good in the sight of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:18: And thou shalt do [that which is] right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
Paradox #1
2 Kings 16:2 could present a theological conflict when considering the broader narrative of the Bible because it refers to a king of Judah who did not follow the ways of God, which contrasts with the expectation that leaders chosen by God should uphold His laws. This inconsistency can raise questions about how divine selection and human free will interact in the biblical narrative.
Paradox #2
The contradiction with 2 Kings 16:2 might arise when comparing the reigns of kings in different parts of the Bible. The ages or timelines of rulers sometimes do not match up perfectly with other books, like 2 Chronicles, leading to confusion about the exact historical timeline.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in this context could be that while leadership is often associated with being moral and leading by example, the actions described in some biblical stories show leaders acting immorally or against God's commandments. This might seem inconsistent with the expectation that leaders should uphold moral values.
Paradox #4
2 Kings 16:2 states that Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king. However, there is a potential contradiction when we compare this with 2 Chronicles 28:1, which also states he was 20 when he became king but later suggests in 2 Kings 18:2 that when Ahaz's son Hezekiah became king at 25, Ahaz would have only been 36, making it difficult for Ahaz to have a son of that age unless he fathered him at 11. This raises questions about the ages mentioned.