Inquiry:
Who killed Saul? 1 Samuel 31:4-6 says that Saul killed himself. However, 2 Samuel 1:9-10 says that a young Amalekite man killed him. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Indeed, it appears as though there is a discrepancy regarding the death of Saul, yet if we consider the texts, the contradiction disappears.
The record of Saul’s death in 1 Samuel 31:4-6 is the inspired writer’s account of Saul’s death. This is the actual way in which Saul died, taking his own life by falling upon a sword. What is recorded in 2 Samuel is the Amalekite’s account of what happened. Quite simply, the Amalekite lied, thinking he might bring honour upon himself by killing the enemy of David. However, the man’s falsehood cost him his own life, as David did not delight in the death of Saul (v 14-15).
So far as the Amalekite’s story being similar in some respects to the actual event, perhaps he was nearby and witnessed it, or it may be that upon coming to the spot, he perceived what had taken place. Regardless, he twisted the truth, eventually to his own destruction.
There is no contradiction.
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