Contradiction with Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." - This verse promotes peacemaking, which contradicts Joab's violent approach to resolving rebellion in 2 Samuel 20:21.
Matthew 5:9: Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Contradiction with Romans 12:19
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." - This verse advises against seeking personal vengeance, while Joab seeks to end Sheba's rebellion through violence.
Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Contradiction with Exodus 20:13
"Thou shalt not kill." - Joab's actions involved taking life to resolve conflict, which contradicts the commandment against killing.
Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.
Contradiction with Proverbs 15:1
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." - Joab uses force rather than peaceful words or negotiation, contrary to the wisdom of this proverb.
Proverbs 15:1: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Contradiction with Matthew 26:52
"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." - Jesus’ teaching against the use of the sword contrasts with Joab’s reliance on violence.
Matthew 26:52: Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Contradiction with James 3:18
"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." - Emphasizing peace over violence is in contrast to Joab's approach in ending the rebellion.
James 3:18: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Contradiction with 1 Peter 3:11
"Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." - This verse urges the pursuit of peace, which contradicts Joab's violent resolution of conflict.
1 Peter 3:11: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Contradiction with Luke 6:27
"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you," - This teaching encourages love and good deeds towards enemies, contrasting with Joab’s lethal response.
Luke 6:27: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Contradiction with Proverbs 25:21-22
"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." - Advocating kindness towards enemies, this contradicts Joab’s actions in the passage.
Proverbs 25:21-22: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Contradiction with Proverbs 16:7
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." - Suggests that pleasing the Lord can lead to peaceful resolutions, contrasting Joab's violent method.
Proverbs 16:7: When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Paradox #1
The contradiction in 2 Samuel 20:21 could be seen as the tension between justice and violence. The verse involves a situation where violence is used as a means to achieve peace. This could be seen as inconsistent with the moral teaching against violence, as it presents a conflict between maintaining order and the methods used to achieve it.