bible contradictions: how did saul die?

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Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts... For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, -2 Peter 3:3-5 Skeptic's Argument: One who scoffs at God's Word. Skeptics will often declare that the Bible contains three incompatible records of Saul’s death. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. -1 Samuel 31:4 1 Samuel 31 suggests that Saul killed himself with a sword, but in 2 Samuel 1, an Amalekite man recounts that he was the one that killed Saul: So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. -2 Samuel 1:10 Furthermore, the Bible states in 2 Samuel 21 that Saul was slain by the Philistines: And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: -2 Samuel 21:12 These are obvious contradictions, therefore the Bible is wrong.

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Page 1: Bible Contradictions: How Did Saul Die?

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts... For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God

the heavens were of old, -2 Peter 3:3-5

Skeptic's Argument:One who scoffs at God's Word.

Skeptics will often declare that the Bible contains three incompatible records of Saul’s death.

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me.

But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

-1 Samuel 31:4

1 Samuel 31 suggests that Saul killed himself with a sword, but in 2 Samuel 1, an Amalekite man recounts that he was the one that killed Saul:

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet

that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. -2 Samuel 1:10

Furthermore, the Bible states in 2 Samuel 21 that Saul was slain by the Philistines:

And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan,

where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

-2 Samuel 21:12

These are obvious contradictions, therefore the Bible is wrong.

Page 2: Bible Contradictions: How Did Saul Die?

The Bible-hating scoffers are quick to point out what they CLAIM are contradictions in the Word of God. These skeptics do not take the Word of God SERIOUSLY; and are too prideful to actually STUDY God’s Word for themselves.

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

-Psalm 10:4

Unfortunately, it seems as though many Christians have a hard time rebuking and reproving the Bible-hating scoffers. Many Christians are simply unprepared to give an immediate answer to the scoffers; as they haven’t properly studied the Word of God.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

-2 Timothy 2:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and

fear: -1 Peter 3:15

There are even some “Christians” out there that are willing to compromise their foundation, simply to appease the scoffers. These Laodiceans would rather compromise with the scoffers, than rightly divide the Word of Truth, because it’s easier for them to compromise. When it comes to Saul’s death; most of these Laodiceans will assert that the Amalekite man was LYING when he gave his account to David. Below are some examples of this:

“The probability is that the young Amalekite lied.” La Vista Church of Christ, (2014, July 27). LVanswers. Retrieved from La Vista Church of Christ: http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVanswers/2007/08-30.html

“It would not be unusual for a Bible writer to record a story that was told at the time as the truth when, in fact, it was a lie... …The point is, just because the Amalekite mercenary claimed to have killed King Saul does not mean that he was telling the truth when he made such a claim.” Thompson, B. (2014, July 27). King Saul--Killed by a Philistine and an Amalekite? Retrieved from Apologetics Press: http://www.apologeticspress.org/ApPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=488&article=127

“The Bible here is merely reporting a lie told by an Amalekite and his judgment… …it must be concluded that the Amalekite was lying in order to gain the praise of David and others.” Nally, J. R. (2014, July 27). Which version of King Saul's death is correct? Retrieved from Third Millenium: http://old.thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/99742.qna/category/ot/page/questions/site/iiim

Bible-Reader's Answer:One who takes God's Word seriously.

Page 3: Bible Contradictions: How Did Saul Die?

“I think that the explanation for the discrepancy can be as simple as saying that the Amalekite lied.” Metro Bible Blog, (2014, July 27). How did Saul die? (two differing accounts). Retrieved from Metro Bible Blog: http://metrobibleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/how-did-saul-die-two-differing-accounts/

“By telling lies in the hope of gaining a reward the Amalekite brought about his own death.” This Is Your Bible, (2014, July 27). How did Saul die? Retrieved from This Is Your Bible: https://www.thisisyourbible.com/index.php?page=questions&task=show&mediaid=2831

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know

thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of

my mouth. -Revelation 3:14-16

These Laodiceans are claiming that the Amalekite man lied; which is completely unbiblical. If the Amalekite man was lying, the Bible would have said so. God does not justify lies.

Let's take a look at what the Bible says about Saul's death; 1 Samuel 31:1-4 says:

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed

hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these

uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

-1 Samuel 31:1-4

At this point in time, Saul had been wounded by the Philistine archers; and it was very difficult for him to continue fleeing. Saul knew that he had already lost the battle, and he did not want to end up being tortured and executed by Philistine soldiers. Because of this, Saul asked his armourbearer to finish him off. His armourbearer, however, was too afraid. When Saul realized that his armourbearer would not comply with his request, Saul took a sword from off of the battlefield, and fell upon it in an attempt to finish himself off. It is important to note that people can actually survive for quite a while after being stabbed in the torso with a sword. Depending on where they were stabbed; people can continue to live for minutes, or even hours before they die. Most skeptics will make the false assumption that Saul had died from his self-inflicted stab wound; but as we will see in the next section, it was the Amalekite man that finished Saul off.

Page 4: Bible Contradictions: How Did Saul Die?

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen

followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I

answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet

that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. -2 Samuel 1:6-10

The Amalekite man stated that the Philistines had been chasing after Saul (which is exactly what the first had account said); and that Saul had leaned on his spear. It certainly makes sense that Saul would lean on his spear; as he had been wounded by the Philistine archers. Saul would have needed to lean on his spear in order to remain standing (much in the way that someone would support themselves with a cane or walking stick). By the time the Amalekite man had weaved his way through the battlefield, Saul was ALREADY fallen on his sword. When the Amalekite man had arrived at Saul’s location, Saul asked the Amalekite man to stand upon him and slay him. The Amalekite man looked at Saul's wounds, and realized that Saul would not be able to continue living with the injuries that he had suffered. The Amalekite man then stood upon Saul, and finished him off. When Saul’s armourbearer saw that Saul was dead; he decided to fall upon his sword like Saul did, and eventually he died.

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer,

and all his men, that same day together. -1 Samuel 31:5-6

Saul, and his three sons, and all his men; collectively represented Saul on the battlefield. The Philistines’ overall mission was to make sure that neither Saul, nor his three sons, nor any of his men, would leave the battlefield alive; and they succeeded. As such, the Philistines are justifiably recognized as having slain Saul.

And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan,

where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

-2 Samuel 21:12

All three passages support each other. All three are correct. There is no contradiction here.

In 2 Samuel 1:6-10, the Amalekite man gives his report to David: