Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 24:17

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 2 Samuel 24:17 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 2 Samuel 24:17. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 2 Samuel, David saw something bad happening and told God it was his fault, not the people's, and he asked God to only punish him and his family instead. David was being brave and taking responsibility for his mistakes.

2 Samuel 24:17: And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 21:17

This verse presents David asking for punishment on himself and his family, which mirrors 2 Samuel 24:17 rather than contradicting it. However, it appears to be an alternate version of the same event, providing different wording but not a contradiction.

1 Chronicles 21:17: And David said unto God, [Is it] not I [that] commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but [as for] these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

Paradox #1

One historical inconsistency related to 2 Samuel 24:17 is the differing account of the census in 1 Chronicles 21. In 2 Samuel, the incitement for David to take the census is attributed to God's anger, while in 1 Chronicles, it is attributed to Satan. This creates a contradiction between the two accounts about who provoked David to conduct the census.

Paradox #2

The potential contradiction in this verse is that David asks why others should be punished for his own mistake. He questions why innocent people suffer for his actions, highlighting an inconsistency in accountability and justice.

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