Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:3-4
King Solomon's foreign wives turned his heart after other gods, contradicting Nehemiah's caution against such marriages.
1 Kings 11:3-4: And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 11:9-10
God was angry with Solomon for turning away, underscoring Nehemiah's warning about foreign influence.
1 Kings 11:9-10: And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
Contradiction with Ezra 10:10-11
Contradicts Solomon's example by emphasizing a command to separate from foreign wives.
Ezra 10:10-11: And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. [have taken: Heb. have caused to dwell, or, have brought back]
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Warns against intermarriage with foreigners as it can lead to serving other gods, aligning with Nehemiah's implication.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 3:1
Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, which seems contrary to the prohibition reiterated by Nehemiah.
1 Kings 3:1: And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 8:11
Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter to a separate house, highlighting complexities in his foreign marriages.
2 Chronicles 8:11: And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because [the places are] holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. [holy: Heb. holiness]
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Nehemiah 13:26 could be related to the acceptance of foreign influence and intermarriage. Nehemiah criticizes Solomon for marrying foreign women, which led him astray, while other parts of the Bible show instances where non-Israelites are integrated into the community and celebrated, like Ruth. This could raise questions about the consistency in the Bible's stance on relationships with outsiders.
Paradox #2
Nehemiah 13:26 refers to King Solomon and his marriages to foreign women, which led him to sin. The contradiction might arise because some people question whether the Bible's portrayal of Solomon's vast wisdom aligns with his actions that led him astray. This inconsistency concerns how someone so wise could make choices that led to negative consequences.
Paradox #3
Nehemiah 13:26 mentions King Solomon's marriages to foreign women leading him astray. The moral conflict arises because, while Solomon was a wise and favored king, his actions of marrying foreign women are criticized for leading to idolatry, suggesting a conflict between wisdom and following religious commands. Solomon's behavior contrasts with the expectation of complete adherence to religious laws.