Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 21:1

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Samuel 21:1 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Samuel 21:1. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of 2 Samuel, David asked God why there was no food for a long time, and God said it was because of something bad that King Saul did. Saul had hurt some people called the Gibeonites, and that's why God was not happy.

2 Samuel 21:1: Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, [It is] for Saul, and for [his] bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. [enquired...: Heb. sought the face, etc]

Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20

This verse states that individuals are responsible for their own sin and not for the sins of others, contrasting with the idea in 2 Samuel 21:1, where a famine is attributed to Saul's actions affecting others.

Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 24:16

Emphasizes that children should not be punished for the sins of their fathers, in contrast to how Saul’s actions brought repercussions in 2 Samuel 21:1.

Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:29-30

This passage asserts that everyone will die for their own sin, contradicting the notion in 2 Samuel 21:1 of collective punishment for Saul's sin.

Jeremiah 31:29-30: In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.

Contradiction with 2 Kings 14:6

This mentions that parents should not be put to death for their children's sins, mirroring the idea in Deuteronomy 24:16 and opposing the notion of generational punishment seen in 2 Samuel 21:1.

2 Kings 14:6: But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in that verse could be the attribution of natural events (like a famine) to divine will or actions, rather than to natural causes that science seeks to understand, such as climatic conditions or agricultural practices. Science generally explains famines in terms of environmental factors, while this verse attributes it to a spiritual cause.

Paradox #2

The contradiction in this verse could be seen in the idea of collective punishment. The famine is a punishment for Saul's actions, affecting the entire nation of Israel rather than just the individual responsible. This raises questions about justice and the fairness of punishing people who were not directly involved in the wrongdoing.

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