Welcome to “Ehrman Errs,” a blog series devoted to using our conversational AI to refute each alleged biblical contradiction that is posed in the article on Bart Ehrman’s website: 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Biggest, Most Shocking Differences.
Today’s alleged contradiction:
#38 – Did Saul See Samuel Again After His Rejection?
An apparent biblical contradiction is also seen in 1 Samuel 15:35. There, it’s explicitly stated that after Saul was rejected by God: “Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death.” The Hebrew word used (ra’a), clearly indicates physical sight or meeting. However, in 1 Samuel 19:24, Saul encounters Samuel during an episode in which Saul is overcome by the Spirit of God and prophesies in Samuel’s presence at Naioth in Ramah.
How Does Ehrman Err?
Let’s begin by looking at the two verses in question:
1 Samuel 19:24 (ESV) – “And he too [Saul] stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’”
1 Samuel 15:35 (ESV) – “And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.”
Step 1: Understanding the Meaning of “See” (Hebrew ra’ah)
In 1 Samuel 15:35, the word ra’ah (“to see”) can indeed mean to look at or to physically encounter. However, in Hebrew idiom, it also often implies meeting for fellowship or counsel—to “see someone” in the sense of an intentional audience or relationship. Thus, the phrase “Samuel did not see Saul again” means Samuel never again met with Saul in his prophetic capacity or relationship as God’s spokesman.
So, after God rejected Saul, Samuel withdrew from fellowship with him; he no longer came to advise or counsel him as before. This interpretation fits the narrative flow perfectly — from that point on, Samuel’s prophetic ministry shifted away from Saul to David (1 Samuel 16:1).
James Smith, in Handfuls of Purpose — 1 Samuel Commentary, makes a profound point about this moment of final rejection:
“Samuel said unto Saul, ‘You have rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king’ (1 Samuel 15:26). To reject God’s Word is to be rejected of God. Saul’s seeming repentance had come too late.”
(Precept Austin, 1 Samuel Commentary – Handfuls of Purpose)
So, Samuel’s not “seeing” Saul again expresses a total spiritual and relational break — not necessarily a statement that their physical proximity would never occur.
Step 2: 1 Samuel 19:24 — What Kind of “Encounter” Was This?
By the time we reach 1 Samuel 19, Samuel is living apart from Saul in Ramah. Saul, in anger, sends messengers to capture David, who has taken refuge with Samuel. But each group, upon entering Samuel’s prophetic company, is overcome by the Spirit — and instead of arresting David, they prophesy! Finally, Saul himself comes, and the same thing happens to him.
Notice carefully: there is no dialogue or interaction recorded between Samuel and Saul. The verse simply says Saul prophesied “before Samuel” — that is, in Samuel’s presence. Saul was not received by Samuel, counseled by him, or restored to fellowship. This was a divine act of humiliation — God overpowering Saul’s wicked intention and showing that the Spirit could still use even a disobedient king as His instrument.
Thus, the text does not say Samuel spoke with Saul or saw him in the personal sense of encounter or meeting; it merely describes them being in the same place, with the Spirit overtaking Saul to prevent evil.
Step 3: The Theological Meaning — Rejection vs. Relapse
God’s rejection of Saul was final in 1 Samuel 15. Subsequent appearances of Saul in Samuel’s vicinity (like 1 Samuel 19) were not reconciliations but expressions of divine control. As 1 Samuel 15:26 states:
“But Samuel said to Saul, ‘I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.’” (Precept Austin, 1 Samuel 15 Commentary)
From this point forward, Samuel’s relationship with Saul was over. Even if they crossed paths again due to circumstance, the fellowship of prophet and king was terminated — and that is exactly what 1 Samuel 15:35 affirms.
Step 4: Broader Biblical Support
Elsewhere we see similar idiomatic uses:
- Genesis 43:3 — “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.” Clearly Joseph doesn’t mean physical sight alone but appearance in his presence for conversation or relationship.
- 2 Samuel 14:24 — Absalom “did not see the king’s face” for two years, though both lived in Jerusalem. This means no contact or audience — not literal invisibility.
In Summary
When 1 Samuel 15:35 says Samuel “did not see Saul again,” it means there was no further personal relationship or prophetic interaction. When 1 Samuel 19:24 describes Saul prophesying “before Samuel,” it’s a forced, impersonal spiritual episode rather than a meeting or conversation. Thus, there is no contradiction — the passages describe two very different types of “presence.”
As always, Scripture is consistent when read in its historical and linguistic context. The lesson remains sobering: to reject God’s Word is to be rejected by Him (1 Samuel 15:26). Yet the passage also reveals His sovereignty — God’s Spirit can still overrule human rebellion to accomplish His purpose.
Supporting Verses:
- 1 Samuel 15:26 — “You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
- Genesis 43:3 — “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.”
- 2 Samuel 14:24 — “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.”
So, rather than a contradiction, these two verses together teach that God’s judgment upon Saul included both spiritual alienation and prophetic silence, even if circumstance later brought Saul physically into Samuel’s presence. Copyists have introduced minor and recognizable variants.