Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:5-6
These verses describe Hezekiah's faithfulness and adherence to God's commandments, contrasting with the unfaithfulness mentioned in 2 Kings 17:19.
2 Kings 18:5-6: He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor [any] that were before him.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 19:4
This verse depicts Jehoshaphat turning the people back to the Lord, contradicting the notion of continuous disobedience in 2 Kings 17:19.
2 Chronicles 19:4: And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. [he went...: Heb. he returned and went out]
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 34:33
Josiah leads Judah in returning to the Lord and keeping the commandments, which contrasts with the persistent disobedience in 2 Kings 17:19.
2 Chronicles 34:33: And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. [present: Heb. found] [from...: Heb. from after]
Contradiction with 2 Kings 23:25
This verse highlights Josiah's unparalleled devotion to the Lord, contradicting the depiction of Judah's consistent unfaithfulness in 2 Kings 17:19.
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.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 15:17
Asa's heart was perfect all his days, demonstrating individual righteousness in contradiction to the collective disobedience described in 2 Kings 17:19.
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 Isaiah 37:31-32
These verses promise a remnant in Judah that will take root downward and bear fruit upward, suggesting ongoing faithfulness despite 2 Kings 17:19's claim of universal disobedience.
Isaiah 37:31-32: And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: [the remnant...: Heb. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaineth]
Paradox #1
This verse highlights that even Judah, which was supposed to follow the commandments of God, fell into the same sins as Israel by not keeping God's laws. The contradiction or inconsistency here could be seen in the expectation for Judah to be faithful while they acted no differently than Israel. It shows a conflict between what is expected from a religious community and its actual behavior, demonstrating human fallibility and the challenge of adhering to spiritual or moral standards.