Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 21:26
This verse describes a similar event where David builds an altar and calls upon the Lord, but it presents a parallel account where David offers burnt offerings and peace offerings, and the Lord answers him by fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering, not specifically by stopping the plague as in 2 Samuel 24:25.
1 Chronicles 21:26: And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
Contradiction with Exodus 20:24
This verse states that “in all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee,” suggesting that God's blessing is not restricted to specific process or events, while 2 Samuel 24:25 depicts a specific event (building an altar) leading to God responding favorably, implying a needed action to provoke a divine response.
Exodus 20:24: An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:11
This verse questions the value of burnt offerings, indicating God's indifference to them without moral obedience. In contrast, 2 Samuel 24:25 implies that the act of offering sacrifices was significant to appease God and halt a plague, showing an immediate positive divine response through ritual sacrifice.
Isaiah 1:11: To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. [he goats: Heb. great he goats]
Contradiction with Hosea 6:6
This verse emphasizes God’s desire for mercy and knowledge of Him more than burnt offerings. This contrasts with 2 Samuel 24:25, where burnt offerings seem central to restoring favor with God and stopping the plague.
Hosea 6:6: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Paradox #1
The verse in question describes a moment where offerings are made, and in response, God stops a plague. A potential contradiction could be seen when comparing this to other biblical passages suggesting that God does not change His mind or actions based on human offerings. Some might see inconsistency in how God's response appears to be influenced by human actions in this instance, while other texts emphasize God's unchanging nature.
Paradox #2
The potential doctrinal conflict involving 2 Samuel 24:25 arises in its account of God's anger being appeased by David's offering, compared to differing details in 1 Chronicles 21:26. These texts have variations in descriptions of the altar site and the nature of God's response, which may cause confusion about the events and God's actions.
Paradox #3
In 2 Samuel 24:25, there could be a contradiction with 1 Chronicles 21:26, where similar events are described, but with differences in the details of the altar's location and the name used for God. These differences might lead to questions about the consistency of the account.