In 2 Samuel 1, a young Amalekite man explains how that he took King Saul’s life in euthanasia (vv. 6-10). This seems to contradict 1 Samuel 31:3-4, which records Saul dying by suicide. Bible critics are quick to spot this seeming contradiction, in a bid to discredit the inerrancy of the Scriptures.
The solution to this is simple. We are to trust the account in 1 Samuel 31:3-4 over the words of the Amalekite. Saul did die by suicide, but the Amalekite man took the credit for his death in a bid to curry favor with David. His plan backfired though, as instead of receiving a reward from David, he was met with certain death (2 Samuel 1:13-16).
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2022.