Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 1:13

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Samuel 1:13 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Samuel 1:13. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 2 Samuel, David was talking to a young man who told him he was from a group of people called the Amalekites. David wanted to know where the young man came from, so he asked him.

2 Samuel 1:13: And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 31:4-5

These verses indicate that Saul took his own life by falling on his sword, suggesting that the Amalekite's account in 2 Samuel 1:13 is inconsistent.

1 Samuel 31:4-5: Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. [abuse...: or, mock me]

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 4:10

Here, David expresses a different reaction to the killing of Saul, implying inconsistency with the Amalekite's expectation of a reward for Saul's death in 2 Samuel 1:13.

2 Samuel 4:10: When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who [thought] that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: [thinking...: Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, etc] [who...: or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings]

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 10:4-5

This account also presents Saul as committing suicide, which contradicts the Amalekite's claim of having killed Saul in 2 Samuel 1:13.

1 Chronicles 10:4-5: Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. [abuse me: or, mock me]
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