Contradictions and Paradoxes in 2 Samuel 2:13

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

According to the author of 2 Samuel, this story is about two groups led by Joab and the servants of David meeting by a pool to discuss things. Imagine two teams sitting on opposite sides, ready to talk or play together, like when friends meet at a playground.

2 Samuel 2:13: And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. [together: Heb. them together]

Contradiction with 1 Chronicles 27:24

This verse states that Joab did not finish numbering Israel, indicating potential inconsistency in his actions or the outcomes of his leadership when compared to the decisive gathering at the pool of Gibeon.

1 Chronicles 27:24: Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David. [was: Heb. ascended]

Contradiction with 1 Samuel 22:17

Here, Saul's servants refuse to kill the priests, showing reluctance, while Joab's willingness to engage in conflict at Gibeon displays opposing behavior.

1 Samuel 22:17: And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also [is] with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. [footmen: or, guard: Heb. runners]

Contradiction with 2 Samuel 3:39

David describes Joab and his brother as “too hard” for him, which contradicts the seemingly neutral meeting in 2 Samuel 2:13.

2 Samuel 3:39: And I [am] this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah [be] too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. [weak: Heb. tender]

Contradiction with Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers" contradicts the eventual confrontation implied by the meeting described in 2 Samuel 2:13.

Matthew 5:9: Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 2:5

David, on his deathbed, recalls Joab’s violent acts, contradicting the peaceful meeting at the pool described in 2 Samuel 2:13.

1 Kings 2:5: Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, [and] what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that [was] about his loins, and in his shoes that [were] on his feet. [shed: Heb. put]
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