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:
#36 – The Number of Saul’s Sons
Another example of the contradiction in the Bible arises concerning the number of Saul’s sons. In 1 Samuel 31:2 and 1 Chronicles 10:5, Saul and all his sons are said to have died in battle, yet 2 Samuel 21:1-14 introduces seven additional sons whose deaths are required to atone for Saul’s sin.
How Does Ehrman Err?
Bart Ehrman’s argument that there is a contradiction in the biblical record regarding the number of Saul’s sons dissolves once we interpret each passage in its proper historical and literary context.
Let’s examine this carefully using the historical-grammatical hermeneutic.
1. The Historical Context of 1 Samuel 31
1 Samuel 31:2–6 (ESV) records:
“And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. … Thus Saul died, and his three sons and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.”
The text clearly names three sons of Saul who died at Mount Gilboa: Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua.
When verse 6 adds “all his men,” the phrase “all his sons” is a contextual summary—referring to those sons who were with him in battle. It does not mean every descendant of Saul perished that day.
In fact, 2 Samuel 2:8 records that Ish-bosheth, another son of Saul, survived and briefly ruled Israel. Thus, the biblical writers themselves recognized that not all of Saul’s sons died in that battle.
Precept Austin’s 1 Samuel 31 Commentary captures this nuance:
“The ‘all’ refers to all the men who fought with him, because we know that some of his sons and troops did survive…”
(Source: PreceptAustin.org, 1 Samuel 31 Commentary)
2. The Reference in 2nd Samuel 21
2 Samuel 21:8 (ESV) says:
“The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth, and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.”
Here we find seven additional male descendants of Saul executed by the Gibeonites as justice for Saul’s earlier sin against them (cf. Joshua 9). These men are identified as
- two natural sons of Saul by Rizpah, and
- five grandsons, born to Saul’s daughter Merab.
The Hebrew term ben (meaning “son”) can denote either direct sons or descendants, depending on context. Thus, “sons of Saul” in 2 Samuel 21legitimately includes grandsons.
3. The Chronicler’s Parallel Account
1 Chronicles 10:6 (ESV) reads:
“Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together.”
Again, the phrase “all his house” does not mean every member of his lineage, but rather everyone present in the royal household at the battle. Even within Chronicles, later verses describe descendants of Saul who lived on (see 1 Chronicles 8:33–40).
This demonstrates that the writer did not regard his wording as contradictory but as a summary statement about the catastrophic loss at Gilboa.
4. Theological Coherence and Moral Sequence
Arthur W. Pink, in The Life of David (PreceptAustin.org), insightfully notes how the later judgment upon Saul’s house in 2 Samuel 21 fits within God’s continuous moral dealings with Israel:
“There is no furlough in the fight of faith! … When the seven sons of Saul have been put to death, other foes (lusts) will seek to prevail against us, and they too must be resisted, and (by grace) be overcome.”
Pink’s comment reminds us that 2 Samuel 21 is not a repeat of Saul’s battlefield death but a subsequent act of divine justice for his prior breach of covenant. It serves a moral rather than chronological purpose.
5. Summary and Biblical Harmony
| Passage | Context | Sons Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Samuel 31:2–6 | Battle of Mount Gilboa | Three (Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchi-shua) |
| 1 Chronicles 10:6 | Summary of the same battle | Same three sons, “all his house” = those at battle |
| 2 Samuel 21:8 | Later divine judgment | Seven descendants (two sons by Rizpah + five grandsons by Merab) |
Therefore:
- There is no contradiction.
- Different events are being described: one at Saul’s death, one many years later.
- Different individuals are involved: some sons perished in battle; others died later for Saul’s sin.
6. A Theological Reflection
These passages teach that sin has multi-generational consequences, though God remains just in all He does.
As Galatians 6:7–8 states:
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
The record of Saul’s family serves as a solemn demonstration that divine justice operates consistently—but also alongside mercy for those who, like David, truly repent (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:1–2).
Conclusion
When context, language, and purpose are rightly understood, there is no contradiction about the number of Saul’s sons.
- 1 Samuel 31 and 1 Chronicles 10 describe his immediate death with three sons in battle.
- 2 Samuel 21 later recounts the execution of other descendants for covenantal atonement.
The supposed inconsistency disappears under fair exegesis, affirming—as always—Scripture’s historical and theological integrity. Faithful to His covenant, and utterly just.
In short: the numbers differ because the categories differ—not because God’s Word errs.