PHA perplexing biblical contradiction emerges in the account of weaponry among the Israelites.
In 1 Samuel 13:19-22, we are told that during Saul's reign, there was not a single sword or spear among the Israelites, except for those belonging to Saul and his son Jonathan.
However, this claim is difficult to reconcile with other passages. In the period of the judges, only a generation or so earlier, swords appear to have been commonplace.
Judges 8:10 describes Gideon defeating 120,000 enemy swordsmen, and Judges 20:2,15,17 detail a vast Israelite army equipped for battle, implying they were well-armed.
In 1 Samuel 13:19-22, we are told that during Saul's reign, there was not a single sword or spear among the Israelites, except for those belonging to Saul and his son Jonathan.
However, this claim is difficult to reconcile with other passages. In the period of the judges, only a generation or so earlier, swords appear to have been commonplace.
Judges 8:10 describes Gideon defeating 120,000 enemy swordsmen, and Judges 20:2,15,17 detail a vast Israelite army equipped for battle, implying they were well-armed.