Contradiction with Acts 5:29
Ecclesiastes 8:2 advises obedience to the king, but Acts 5:29 emphasizes obeying God rather than human authorities.
Acts 5:29: Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Contradiction with Exodus 1:17
Ecclesiastes 8:2 encourages allegiance to authority, while Exodus 1:17 showcases the Hebrew midwives defying the king's orders to obey God instead.
Exodus 1:17: But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
Contradiction with Daniel 3:18
While Ecclesiastes 8:2 speaks to following the king's command, Daniel 3:18 demonstrates the refusal to worship the king’s idol, choosing God's commands over the king's mandate.
Daniel 3:18: But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Contradiction with Daniel 6:10
Ecclesiastes 8:2 suggests obeying the king, whereas Daniel 6:10 shows Daniel continuing to pray to God against the king’s edict.
Daniel 6:10: Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Contradiction with Matthew 2:12
Ecclesiastes 8:2 implies submitting to the king's commands; Matthew 2:12 shows the wise men disobeying King Herod's order after being divinely warned.
Matthew 2:12: And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Contradiction with Joshua 24:15
Ecclesiastes 8:2 suggests allegiance to earthly rulers, while Joshua 24:15 emphasizes choosing to serve the Lord over human authorities.
Joshua 24:15: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 19:2
Ecclesiastes 8:2 instructs obedience to the king, but 1 Samuel 19:2 shows Jonathan contravening King Saul’s wishes to protect David.
1 Samuel 19:2: But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret [place], and hide thyself:
Contradiction with 1 Kings 18:3-4
Whereas Ecclesiastes 8:2 suggests loyalty to the king, 1 Kings 18:3-4 describes Obadiah defying Queen Jezebel’s orders by hiding God’s prophets.
1 Kings 18:3-4: And Ahab called Obadiah, which [was] the governor of [his] house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: [Obadiah: Heb. Obadiahu] [the governor...: Heb. over his house]
Paradox #1
Ecclesiastes 8:2 advises obeying the king's command, which might seem inconsistent with other biblical passages that emphasize following God's laws over human authority when they conflict. For instance, the apostles in the New Testament, like in Acts 5:29, state that one must obey God rather than human authorities in certain situations. This could be seen as a contradiction if a ruler's command contradicts God's instructions.
Paradox #2
Ecclesiastes 8:2 may highlight a contradiction or conflict in emphasizing obedience to authority based on religious or divine command. This could clash with situations where the authority's directives are unjust or immoral, raising questions about when it is right to challenge or disobey authority.