2 Samuel 10:5 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the author of the book, the men were embarrassed because their beards had been cut. David, the king, told them to wait in a safe place until their beards grew back so they would feel better.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 11:4

This verse states that a man should not cover his head, which contrasts with 2 Samuel 10:5 where David tells his men to wait in Jericho until their beards grow back, indicating that having a bare face or head was seen as shameful.

1 Corinthians 11:4: Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Contradiction with Leviticus 19:27

This verse prohibits the cutting of the beard, which suggests that cutting the beard was permitted, yet 2 Samuel 10:5 implies shame associated with having one's beard shaved.

Leviticus 19:27: Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Contradiction with Isaiah 7:20

This verse describes the shaving of the head and the beard as a form of humiliation performed by God, whereas 2 Samuel 10:5 shows a human act causing humiliation.

Isaiah 7:20: In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, [namely], by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.

Contradiction with Ezekiel 5:1

Here, cutting hair and beard is instructed as a prophetic action from God, contrasting with the idea of disgrace in 2 Samuel 10:5.

Ezekiel 5:1: And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause [it] to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the [hair].

Contradiction with Numbers 6:18

This verse instructs Nazirites to shave their head as part of a vow, presenting shaving as a ritualistic act, unlike the shame implied in 2 Samuel 10:5.

Numbers 6:18: And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put [it] in the fire which [is] under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

Contradiction with Ezekiel 44:20

This verse instructs the priests to trim their hair, which suggests that certain groups had specific regulations that do not imply shame, unlike the societal shame seen in 2 Samuel 10:5.