Contradiction Number 9

This contradiction is about a punishment option God gave King David after he conducted a census against divine instruction.

In 2 Samuel 24:13, the prophet Gad tells David he can choose "seven years of famine" as one of the possible consequences.

But in the parallel account, 1 Chronicles 21:12, the same choice is listed as only "three years of famine."

So which was it—seven or three?

This isn't just a typo; it affects how we view the severity of divine judgment and the consistency of biblical records.

Theologically, it raises questions about the reliability of the text in recounting divine actions.

To explain it away, some scholars argue that a copyist error might have crept into the text of Samuel—especially since three years is consistent with other famine durations in Scripture (like the one in Elijah's time).

Others suggest the chronicler "corrected" the number to better align with common prophetic symbolism.

Still, for those who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, this difference needs smoothing over—while others see it as a glimpse into how sacred texts were edited over time.