Example Bible Contradictions
This page is a growing collection of Bible contradictions. Together they show it is unreasonable to affirm that everything in the Bible is inspired. The examples are taken from a widely used, modern, translation of the Bible, the New International Version.
Contradictions to Study
For now this page lists contradictions in their order of appearance. More contradictions will be added.
- Esau's Wives
- Selecting Officials
- Spying Out the Land
- Cities of Refuge
- Choosing a King
- Saul and David
- Goliath's Head
- Goliath's Sword
- Opposing Moses
Esau's Wives
Question: Who were Esau's wives?
Esau married 1) Judith and 2) Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite when he was 40 years old and living in Canaan.
34Esau was 40 years old when he took Judith daughter of Beeri the Hethite as his wife and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hivite. (Genesis 26:34 BRB)
34When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. (Genesis 26:34 NIV)
34¶And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: (Genesis 26:34 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Later, while still living in Canaan, Esau also married 3) Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.
6Esau saw that Isaac had blessed his brother Jacob and sent him away to Padan of Aram to take for himself a wife from there and that as he blessed him he commanded him saying, You will not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan, 7and that Jacob listened to his father and to his mother and went to Padan of Aram. 8Esau saw that Isaac his father despised the daughters of Canaan. 9Then Esau went to Ishmael and took Basemath daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham the sister of Nebaioth over his other wives to be his wife. (Genesis 28:6-9 BRB)
6Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and had sent him to Paddan Aram to take a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he commanded him, "Do not marry a Canaanite woman," 7and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Paddan Aram. 8Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; 9so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.
(Genesis 28:6-9 NIV)
(Genesis 28:6-9 NIV)
6¶When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan–aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; 7And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan–aram; 8And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;pleased…: Heb. were evil in the eyes, etc 9Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.Mahalath: or, Bashemath
(Genesis 28:6-9 KJV)
(Genesis 28:6-9 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Later in Genesis Esau's wives are different. Esau's wives are said to be 1) Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, 2) Oholibamah, and 3) Basemath the daughter of Ishmael.
2Esau took his wives from among the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hethite and Oholibamah daughter of Anah son of Zibeon the Hivite 3and Basemath daughter of Ishmael the sister of Nebaioth. (Genesis 36:2-3 BRB)
2Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite -- 3also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
(Genesis 36:2-3 NIV)
(Genesis 36:2-3 NIV)
2Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.Bashemath: or, Mahalath (Genesis 36:2-3 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
None of these are the same wives he married earlier. This is confusing, especially since this list of wives is said to be the same wives he took while living in Canaan and not a list of wives taken later, say, after moving to Seir.
Who were Esau's wives? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Selecting Officials
Question: Who selected the officials set over the people?
Moses selected officials to be set over the 1000s, 100s, 50s, and 10s of people.
13It came to pass the next day that Moses sat to judge the people. The people stood by Moses from morning to evening. 14Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people and said to him, What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit in judgment all alone and all the people stand by you from morning to evening?
15Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of god. 16When they have a controversy they come to me and I judge between one and another and I make them know the commandments of god and his laws.
17Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good. 18You will surely wear yourself out, both you and all this people that is with you, for this thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel and god will be with you. You must become a teacher from god to the people, to bring their disputes before god. 20You will warn them to preserve the commandments and laws that you may show them how to conduct themselves and the works that they must do. 21Also you will provide out of all the people able men who fear god, truthful men who hate bribes and deceit, and appoint such over them to be rulers of 1,000s of 100s of 50s and of 10s. 22Let them judge the people at all times. When they have an important matter let them come to you, but every small matter they will judge for themselves, so it will be easier for you and they will bear the burden with you. 23If you will do this thing, and god commands you so, then you will be able to endure and all this people will also go each to his own house in peace.
24Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had told him. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and appointed them heads over the people, rulers of 1,000s of 100s of 50s and of 10s. 26They judged the people at all times. The hard cases they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. (Exodus 18:13-26 BRB)
15Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of god. 16When they have a controversy they come to me and I judge between one and another and I make them know the commandments of god and his laws.
17Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good. 18You will surely wear yourself out, both you and all this people that is with you, for this thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel and god will be with you. You must become a teacher from god to the people, to bring their disputes before god. 20You will warn them to preserve the commandments and laws that you may show them how to conduct themselves and the works that they must do. 21Also you will provide out of all the people able men who fear god, truthful men who hate bribes and deceit, and appoint such over them to be rulers of 1,000s of 100s of 50s and of 10s. 22Let them judge the people at all times. When they have an important matter let them come to you, but every small matter they will judge for themselves, so it will be easier for you and they will bear the burden with you. 23If you will do this thing, and god commands you so, then you will be able to endure and all this people will also go each to his own house in peace.
24Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had told him. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and appointed them heads over the people, rulers of 1,000s of 100s of 50s and of 10s. 26They judged the people at all times. The hard cases they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. (Exodus 18:13-26 BRB)
13The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"
15Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."
17Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21But select capable men from all the people -- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
(Exodus 18:13-26 NIV)
15Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."
17Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21But select capable men from all the people -- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
(Exodus 18:13-26 NIV)
13¶And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: 16When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.one…: Heb. a man and his fellow 17And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.Thou wilt…: Heb. Fading thou wilt fade 19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
(Exodus 18:13-26 KJV)
(Exodus 18:13-26 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
The people selected officials to be set over the 1000s, 100s, 50s and 10s and Moses merely approved their selection.
9I said to you at that time, I am not able to bear you alone, 10The Master your god has multiplied you and you are this day as the stars of the skies in multitude. 11May the Master, god of your fathers, make you 1,000 times as numerous as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you. 12How can I myself bear alone your encumbrance and your burden and your strife? 13Choose for yourselves wise men, who have understanding and are renowned among your tribes, and I will make them chiefs over you.
14You answered and said to me, The thing that you spoke is good for us to do.
15I took the heads of your tribes, wise men and renowned, and made them heads over you, heads over 1,000s and heads over 100s and heads over 50 and heads over 10 and scribes for your tribes. 16I commanded your judges at that time saying, Hear the causes between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the settler that is with him. 17You will not be partial to persons in judgment, but you will hear the small as well as the great, you will not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is god's, and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it. 18I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do. (Deuteronomy 1:9-18 BRB)
14You answered and said to me, The thing that you spoke is good for us to do.
15I took the heads of your tribes, wise men and renowned, and made them heads over you, heads over 1,000s and heads over 100s and heads over 50 and heads over 10 and scribes for your tribes. 16I commanded your judges at that time saying, Hear the causes between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the settler that is with him. 17You will not be partial to persons in judgment, but you will hear the small as well as the great, you will not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is god's, and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it. 18I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do. (Deuteronomy 1:9-18 BRB)
9At that time I said to you, "You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. 10The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as many as the stars in the sky. 11May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! 12But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? 13Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you."
14You answered me, "What you propose to do is good."
15So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you -- as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. 17Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it. 18And at that time I told you everything you were to do.
(Deuteronomy 1:9-18 NIV)
14You answered me, "What you propose to do is good."
15So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you -- as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. 17Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it. 18And at that time I told you everything you were to do.
(Deuteronomy 1:9-18 NIV)
9¶And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: 10The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. 11(The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) 12How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? 13Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.Take: Heb. Give 14And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do. 15So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.made: Heb. gave 16And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.respect…: Heb. acknowledge faces 18And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
(Deuteronomy 1:9-18 KJV)
(Deuteronomy 1:9-18 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Who selected the officials set over the people? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Spying Out the Land
Question: Whose idea was it to spy out the land?
The LORD told Moses to send a spy from each of the 12 tribes into Canaan to spy out the land.
1The Master spoke with Moses and said to him, 2Send men that they may spy out the land of Canaan that I give to the children of Israel, 1 man from the tribe of his fathers. Send all the heads who are among them. (Numbers 13:1-2 BRB)
1The LORD said to Moses, 2"Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders."
(Numbers 13:1-2 NIV)
(Numbers 13:1-2 NIV)
1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. (Numbers 13:1-2 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
The idea to spy out the land was the people's and the idea to send a man from each of the 12 tribes was Moses'.
22All of you came near to me and said, Let us send men before us, and they will spy out the land for us, and bring us word again and show us the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we will come.
23The saying pleased me well and I took 12 men of you, 1 man of each tribe, (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 BRB)
23The saying pleased me well and I took 12 men of you, 1 man of each tribe, (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 BRB)
22Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to."
23The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 NIV)
23The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 NIV)
22¶And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come. 23And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe: (Deuteronomy 1:22-23 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Whose idea was it to spy out the land? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Cities of Refuge
Question: Who set up cities of refuge east of the Jordan?
The LORD told Moses to tell the Israelites that when they crossed the Jordan river into the land of Canaan they were to set up cities of refuge. Moses, of course, was not around by the time they crossed the river (see Deuteronomy 31:2), which is why he passed this task onto the Israelites. They were to set up 3 cities east of the Jordan and 3 west of the Jordan.
9The Master spoke with Moses and said to him, 10Speak with the children of Israel and say to them, When you pass the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11you will select for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the person who kills someone unexpectedly may flee there. 12They will be to you cities for refuge from the avenger of the blood that the killer may not be killed until he stand before the assembly in judgment. 13Of these cities which you will give 6 cities you will have for refuge. 14You will give 3 cities on this side of the Jordan, and 3 cities you will give in the land of Canaan, which will be cities of refuge. 15These 6 cities will be for refuge, both for the children of Israel and for the proselytes and for the temporary resident among them; that everyone who kills any person unexpectedly may flee there. (Numbers 35:9-15 BRB)
9Then the LORD said to Moses: 10"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 11select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that a person accused of murder may not die before he stands trial before the assembly. 13These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites, aliens and any other people living among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.
(Numbers 35:9-15 NIV)
(Numbers 35:9-15 NIV)
9¶And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; 11Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.at…: Heb. by error 12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. 13And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. 14Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. 15These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. (Numbers 35:9-15 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Moses set up the 3 cities of refuge east of the Jordan after that area had been conquered, but well before anyone crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan. This contradicts Moses telling others to do this at a later date.
41Then Moses set apart 3 cities on this side of the Jordan toward the rising sun, 42that the killer might flee there, who might kill his neighbor unintentionally, and did not hate him in time past, and that by fleeing to 1 of these cities he might live, 43namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country of the Reubenites, and Ramoth in Gilead of the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan of the Manassites. (Deuteronomy 4:41-43 BRB)
41Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan, 42to which anyone who had killed a person could flee if he had unintentionally killed his neighbor without malice aforethought. He could flee into one of these cities and save his life. 43The cities were these: Bezer in the desert plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
(Deuteronomy 4:41-43 NIV)
(Deuteronomy 4:41-43 NIV)
41¶Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising; 42That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live: 43Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.
(Deuteronomy 4:41-43 KJV)
(Deuteronomy 4:41-43 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
After conquering Canaan Joshua son of Nun set up the 6 cities of refuge as per the instructions from Moses. He set up the 3 cities on the west side first and then also set up the 3 cities on the east side.
7They set apart these cities for the places of refuge: Rakem in Galilee which is on the mount of Naphtali and Shechem which is on the mount of Ephraim and Kiriath Arba which is Hebron on the mount of Judah. 8On the other side of the Jordan, east of Jericho, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness, which is situated on the plain, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:7-8 BRB)
7So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8On the east side of the Jordan of Jericho they designated Bezer in the desert on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:7-8 NIV)
7¶And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.appointed: Heb. sanctified 8And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:7-8 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Who set up cities of refuge east of the Jordan? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Choosing a King
Question: Did the LORD want the people to have a king?
Moses wrote clear instructions on how to set a king over the people and never denigrates the act, suggesting this was right or at least acceptable behavior. The rules for the king included choosing the king the LORD chooses, not allowing a foreigner to be king, not allowing the king to become materially rich and requiring the king to make himself a copy of the scriptures and read them every day (enforced by who by the way?).
14When you will come to the land which the Master your god gives you, and you will inherit it and live in it, and will say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me, 15you will be sure to set a king over you whom the Master your god will choose, one from among your brothers you will set king over you, it is unlawful for you to set a foreigner over you, who is not from among your brothers, 16but he will not multiply horses to himself, that he may not cause the people to return to Mizraim, when his horses have multiplied, since the Master has said to you, You will never return that way again. 17He will not multiply wives to himself so that they do not cause his heart to turn away nor will he greatly multiply to himself silver or gold.
18Whenever he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he will write for himself a copy of this law in a scroll out of what is before the priests and the Levites, 19and it will be with him and he will read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Master his god, to preserve all the words of this law, and these commandments, to do them, 20that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandments, not to the right hand nor to the left, so that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the middle of Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20 BRB)
18Whenever he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he will write for himself a copy of this law in a scroll out of what is before the priests and the Levites, 19and it will be with him and he will read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Master his god, to preserve all the words of this law, and these commandments, to do them, 20that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandments, not to the right hand nor to the left, so that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his sons, in the middle of Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20 BRB)
14When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us," 15be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite. 16The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." 17He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
18When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. 19It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20 NIV)
18When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. 19It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20 NIV)
14¶When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; 15Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. 16But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. 17Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 18And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 20That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20 KJV)
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
About 400 years later, when the Israelites asked the prophet Samuel to set a king over them, he thought this was fundamentally wrong and prayed about it rather than just cite the instructions supposedly provided beforehand by Moses for this very scenario. The LORD agreed with Samuel, not Moses, explaining the people wanting a man to be king was evidence they had rejected him as their king. He also explained one reason this was so bad was all kings, as a natural effect of what a king is, would steal from the populace to support their kingdom. So it was wrong to set a king over the people and Samuel tried to dissuade them. The people did not listen to Samuel, because they were not listening to God, and in the end God told Samuel to give the people what they deserved and set a king over them.
4All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel to Ramah. 5They said to him, You are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now give us a king to judge us like all the peoples.
6The thing displeased Samuel when they said to him, Give us a king to judge us like all the peoples. Samuel prayed before the Master.
7The Master said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me that I should not be king over them 8according to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of the land of Mizraim to this day. They have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you. 9Now listen to their voice, but testify solemnly to them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.
10Samuel told all the words of the Master to the people who asked of him a king. 11He said, This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you:
Your children he will take and will appoint to himself for his chariots and for his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.
12He will make to himself officers of 1,000s and 100s and 50s and 10s and they will plow his ground and reap his harvest and they will make his implements of war and instruments for his chariots.
13Your daughters he will take for weavers and grinders and bakers.
14The best of your fields and your vineyards and your oliveyards he will take and give to his servants.
15Your grain and your vineyards he will take a 10th of and will give to his eunuchs and servants.
16Your servants and your maids and your attractive young men and your donkeys he will take and make his servants.
17Your sheep he will take a 10th of and you will be servants to him.
18You will cry for help in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves and the Master will not answer you in that day.
19The people refused to obey the voice of Samuel and said to him, No, but we will have a king over us 20that we may also be like all the peoples and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.
21Samuel heard all the words of the people and repeated them before the Master. 22The Master said to Samuel, Listen to their voice. A king will reign over them.
Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go every man to his city. (1 Samuel 8:4-22 BRB)
6The thing displeased Samuel when they said to him, Give us a king to judge us like all the peoples. Samuel prayed before the Master.
7The Master said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me that I should not be king over them 8according to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of the land of Mizraim to this day. They have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you. 9Now listen to their voice, but testify solemnly to them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.
10Samuel told all the words of the Master to the people who asked of him a king. 11He said, This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you:
Your children he will take and will appoint to himself for his chariots and for his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.
12He will make to himself officers of 1,000s and 100s and 50s and 10s and they will plow his ground and reap his harvest and they will make his implements of war and instruments for his chariots.
13Your daughters he will take for weavers and grinders and bakers.
14The best of your fields and your vineyards and your oliveyards he will take and give to his servants.
15Your grain and your vineyards he will take a 10th of and will give to his eunuchs and servants.
16Your servants and your maids and your attractive young men and your donkeys he will take and make his servants.
17Your sheep he will take a 10th of and you will be servants to him.
18You will cry for help in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves and the Master will not answer you in that day.
19The people refused to obey the voice of Samuel and said to him, No, but we will have a king over us 20that we may also be like all the peoples and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.
21Samuel heard all the words of the people and repeated them before the Master. 22The Master said to Samuel, Listen to their voice. A king will reign over them.
Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go every man to his city. (1 Samuel 8:4-22 BRB)
4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have."
6But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
10Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."
(1 Samuel 8:4-22 NIV)
6But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
10Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
21When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."
(1 Samuel 8:4-22 NIV)
4¶Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6¶But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of 7And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.hearken…: or, obeyhowbeit…: or, notwithstanding when thou hast solemnly protested against them then thou shalt
10¶And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. 11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.officers: Heb. eunuchs 16And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.
19¶Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. 22And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
(1 Samuel 8:4-22 KJV)
6¶But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of 7And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.hearken…: or, obeyhowbeit…: or, notwithstanding when thou hast solemnly protested against them then thou shalt
10¶And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. 11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.officers: Heb. eunuchs 16And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.
19¶Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. 22And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
(1 Samuel 8:4-22 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Did the LORD want the people to have a king? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Saul and David
Question: When did Saul and David meet?
According to the following story in 1st Samuel chapter 16 David was hired by King Saul to play the harp to soothe him with music because he was being tormented with an evil spirit. In time David also became his armor bearer. At the time David was hired he already had a reputation for being a brave man and a warrior. Saul sent personally to his father Jesse in Bethlehem to hire David and sent to him a second time to say that he wanted to keep David.
14The spirit of the Master departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Master troubled him.
15Saul's servants said to him, Your servants are before you. 16Let our master command his servants to seek out a man who can play well on the harp and when the evil spirit is on you he will play with his hands and you will be well.
17Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.
181 of the young men answered and said, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth Lehemite who is skilful in playing and a mighty valiant man, a man of war and prudent in speech, a handsome man and the Master is with him.
19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, Send me David your son, he will be useful to me. 20Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a kid of goats and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21David came to Saul and stood before him and he loved him greatly and he became his armorbearer. 22Saul sent to Jesse saying, Let David attend me for he has found favor in my sight.
23Whenever the spirit from god was on Saul, David took the harp and played on it, so Saul was refreshed and was well and the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Samuel 16:14-23 BRB)
15Saul's servants said to him, Your servants are before you. 16Let our master command his servants to seek out a man who can play well on the harp and when the evil spirit is on you he will play with his hands and you will be well.
17Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.
181 of the young men answered and said, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth Lehemite who is skilful in playing and a mighty valiant man, a man of war and prudent in speech, a handsome man and the Master is with him.
19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, Send me David your son, he will be useful to me. 20Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a kid of goats and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21David came to Saul and stood before him and he loved him greatly and he became his armorbearer. 22Saul sent to Jesse saying, Let David attend me for he has found favor in my sight.
23Whenever the spirit from god was on Saul, David took the harp and played on it, so Saul was refreshed and was well and the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Samuel 16:14-23 BRB)
14Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
15Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
17So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
23Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
(1 Samuel 16:14-23 NIV)
15Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
17So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
23Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
(1 Samuel 16:14-23 NIV)
14¶But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.troubled: or, terrified 15And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. 16Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. 18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth–lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.matters: or, speech
19¶Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
(1 Samuel 16:14-23 KJV)
19¶Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
(1 Samuel 16:14-23 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Later, when David was preparing to go out against Goliath, Saul did not know who he was, or, at least, who his father was.
55When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine he said to Abner the commander of his army, Whose son is this youth?
Abner said, As your soul lives king, I do not know.
56The king said, Inquire whose son this young man is.
57When David returned after he had killed the Philistine Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58Saul said to him, Whose son are you young man?
David said to him, I am the son of your servant Jesse the Beth Lehemite. (1 Samuel 17:55-58 BRB)
Abner said, As your soul lives king, I do not know.
56The king said, Inquire whose son this young man is.
57When David returned after he had killed the Philistine Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58Saul said to him, Whose son are you young man?
David said to him, I am the son of your servant Jesse the Beth Lehemite. (1 Samuel 17:55-58 BRB)
55As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is that young man?"
Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know."
56The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."
57As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.
58"Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him.
David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."
(1 Samuel 17:55-58 NIV)
Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know."
56The king said, "Find out whose son this young man is."
57As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.
58"Whose son are you, young man?" Saul asked him.
David said, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."
(1 Samuel 17:55-58 NIV)
55¶And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. 56And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. 57And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth–lehemite.
(1 Samuel 17:55-58 KJV)
(1 Samuel 17:55-58 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
When did Saul and David meet? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Goliath's Head
Question: Where did David take the giant's head?
David took the severed head of the giant to Jerusalem.
54David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. (1 Samuel 17:54 BRB)
54David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.
(1 Samuel 17:54 NIV)
(1 Samuel 17:54 NIV)
54And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
(1 Samuel 17:54 KJV)
(1 Samuel 17:54 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
David presented the severed head of the giant to Saul after the battle.
57When David returned after he had killed the Philistine Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (1 Samuel 17:57 BRB)
57As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.
(1 Samuel 17:57 NIV)
(1 Samuel 17:57 NIV)
57And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (1 Samuel 17:57 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Where did David take the giant's head? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Goliath's Sword
Question: Where did David put the giant's sword?
David put the weapons of the giant in his own tent.
54David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. (1 Samuel 17:54 BRB)
54David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.
(1 Samuel 17:54 NIV)
(1 Samuel 17:54 NIV)
54And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
(1 Samuel 17:54 KJV)
(1 Samuel 17:54 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
David acquired the sword of the giant later on from a priest in the town of Nob (see 1st Samuel 21:1).
8David said to Ahimelek, Is there not here under your hand a sword or a spear, for I have brought neither my sword nor my spear in my hands because the king's business required haste.
9The priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine whom you killed in the valley of Elah is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you wish to take that take it, for there is no other but that here.
David said, There is none like that. Give it to me. (1 Samuel 21:8-9 BRB)
9The priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine whom you killed in the valley of Elah is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you wish to take that take it, for there is no other but that here.
David said, There is none like that. Give it to me. (1 Samuel 21:8-9 BRB)
8David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or a sword here? I haven't brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king's business was urgent."
9The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one."
David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."
(1 Samuel 21:8-9 NIV)
9The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one."
David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."
(1 Samuel 21:8-9 NIV)
8¶And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. 9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
(1 Samuel 21:8-9 KJV)
(1 Samuel 21:8-9 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Where did David put the giant's sword? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
Opposing Moses
Question: Who stood up against Moses?
Many times in the stories of Moses crowds of people complained to him or otherwise quarreled with him. Save one occassion Moses always left the identity of these people anonymous.
Three individuals lead an open rebellion against Moses. They threatened to fork the entire assembly, but met their fate before getting too far. Moses wrote about the ordeal and included their names. The three who opposed him were 1) Korah, 2) Dathan and 3) Abiram.
1Korah son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, started a faction. (Numbers 16:1 BRB)
1Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites -- Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth -- became insolent (Numbers 16:1 NIV)
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: (Numbers 16:1 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Much later, in the New Testament period, Jude referred to the rebellion of Korah which Moses had written about.
11Woe to them for they have gone in the way of Cain and have run greedily after the err of Balaam for reward and have perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Jude 1:11 BRB)
11Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
(Jude 1:11 NIV)
(Jude 1:11 NIV)
11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
The apostle Paul, writing his disciple Timothy, also spoke of the individuals who opposed Moses, but said they were 1) Jannes and 2) Jambres.
8Just as Jannes and Jambres stood up against Moses, in this way also these resist the truth, men of corrupt minds and far off from the belief. (2 Timothy 3:8 BRB)
8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth -- men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. (2 Timothy 3:8 NIV)
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8 KJV)
BRB
NIV
KJV
Who stood up against Moses? The answer is unknowable, technically, because inspiration does not allow picking sides on a contradiction.
