The conflicting history of Kings and Chronicles

The Bible book of Chronicles appears to have been written specifically for the purpose of disagreeing with the portrayal of history, doctrine and the interpretation of events in other narratives. The Chronicles consist of edited versions of events recorded in other books. There are two 'historical' books that share many features in common, the books of Kings and Chronicles. The books are similar in style and cover much of the same ground.

David killed 700 Aramaeans in chariots and forty thousand horsemen, mortally wounding Shophach. (2 Samuel Chapter 10 verse 18) In 1 Chronicles Chapter 19 verse 18 the edited version states that David killed 7,000 Aramaeans in chariots and forty thousand infantry men, killing Shophach.

In the book of Samuel we are told that Jesse had eight sons: "And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "YAHWEH has not chosen these." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep."" (1 Samuel Chapter 16 verse 10)

"Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons." (1 Samuel Chapter 17 verse 12) . In Chronicles, we are told, had seven sons; "Jesse was the father of Eliab his first-born, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh." (1 Chronicles Chapter 2 verse 13)

In the book of Samuel we are told that Saul inquired of God, but did not receive an answer. In the Chronicles Saul died for his unfaithfulness in not consulting God. The fault lay not with God, for not answering, but rather will Saul for not asking. "And when Saul inquired of YAHWEH, YAHWEH did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets." 1 Samuel 28:6 (1 Samuel Chapter 28 verse 6) (1 Samuel Chapter 28 verse 6) . "So Saul died for his unfaithfulness; he was unfaithful to YAHWEH ... and did not seek guidance from YAHWEH. Therefore YAHWEH killed him." (1 Chronicles Chapter 10 verse 13)

In 2 Samuel Chapter 24 verse 9 the result of the census was Israel 800,000 and Judah 500,000. In 1 Chronicles Chapter 21 this is 'corrected' to read Israel 1,100,000 and Judah 470,000.

According to 2 Samuel Chapter 24 verse 24 David paid 50 shekels of silver for the plot of land on which the temple was to be built. In 1 Chronicles Chapter 21 verse 22 this is read 600 shekels of gold.

In the book of 1 Kings Chapter 4 verse 26 we are told that Solomon had 40,000 horses. 2 Chronicles Chapter 9 verse 25 states that he had 4,000 horses.

When he began to reign Jehoiakim was 18 and reigned 3 months after which time his uncle took the throne. In (2 Kings Chapter 24 verse 8) he was 8 and reigned 3 months and 10 days and then his brother began to rule (2 Chronicles Chapter 36 verse 9) . Ahaziah was either 22 when he came to the throne (2 Kings Chapter 8 verse 26) or 42 (2 Chronicles Chapter 22 verse 2) .

The Kingdom was at peace under Asa (because he knocked down the high place shrines). (2 Chronicles Chapter 14 verse 5) There was war between Asa and Baasha all throughout their reigns (because he did not knock down the high places). (1 Kings Chapter 15 verse 16)

Jehoram, the son of Ahab, began his reign in the second year of the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehosophat. (2 Kings Chapter 1 verse 17) Jehoram son of Jehosophat began his reign in the fifth year of Jehoram, son of Ahab. (2 Kings Chapter 8 verse 16)

Omri became king in the 31st year of Asa's reign and he reigned 12 years. (1 Kings Chapter 16 verse 23) When Omri died his son Ahab came to the throne and this was in the 38th year of Asa's reign. (This means that Omri could have only reigned 7 years, not 12 as stated.)

In the book of 2 Kings Chapter 9 verse 27 , we are told that Jehu shot Ahaziah with an arrow near Ibleam, and that Ahaziah escaped to Meggido, where he died. In 2 Chronicles Chapter 22 verse 9 we are told that Ahaziah was captured in Samaria, where he had been hiding out. He was then brought to Jehu who had him put to death.

The Kings of Syria and Israel failed to conquer Ahaz, according to 2 Kings Chapter 16 verse 5 , but, according to 2 Chronicles Chapter 28 verse 5 , they did conquer Ahaz.

As punishment for the census and its aftermath, David is given the choice of running from his enemies for three months, or 7 years of famine (2 Samuel Chapter 24 verse 13) but in Chronicles it was it 3 years of famine (1 Chronicles Chapter 21 verse 11) .

The father of Zerubbabel was either Shealtiel (Ezra Chapter 3 verse 2) or Pedaiah (2 Chronicles Chapter 3 verse 19) .

Josiah was followed on the throne by either Shallum (Jeremiah Chapter 22 verse 11) or Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles Chapter 36 verse 1) .

The mother of Abijah was either Maachah, Absalom's daughter (2 Chronicles Chapter 9 verse 20) or Michaiah the daughter of Uriel (2 Chronicles Chapter 13 Verse 2) .

Saul knows David, as his personal harp player, even outfitting him to battle Goliath. Saul does not know who David is, and must be introduced to David after he kills Goliath. Saul had an evil spirit tormenting him 'sent by God'. (1 Samuel 16:14) . Someone recommended David to play the harp, calling him, "a brave warrior, a mighty man of war." (1 Samuel 16:18) . "David came to Saul and entered his service."
(1 Samuel 16:21) Saul took a liking to David and told his father, "'allow David to enter my service,' for, 'he loved him dearly.' " (1 Samuel 16:21)
No sooner had David cut off Goliath's head than Saul asked, "who is that young man?" (1 Samuel 17:55) . David was introduced to Saul. "with the Philistines head still in his hand," (1 Samuel 17:57) and Saul asked, "who are you?" and David replied, "the son of Jesse." (1 Samuel 17:58) "That same day Saul kept David and would not let him return to his father's house." (1 Samuel 18:1)

David spoke of killing Goliath, and his words were reported to Saul. (1 Samuel 17:31) Saul did not want to let David fight Goliath, for David was not a trained warrior. However we are told David was just a lad and out tending sheep, and his job was to deliver lunch to the soldiers. (1 Samuel 17:18) "You are not able to go to war against the Philistines. You (David) are just a boy, and Goliath is a man of war." (1 Samuel 17:33)

After David killed Goliath. David took Goliath's head to Jerusalem, but he kept his sword in his tent. (1 Samuel 17:54) Jerusalem was not captured from the Jebusites until after David became King (or was it?) and the sword was kept in a temple at Nob. (1 Samuel 21:1)

David enters Saul's service as a harp player, and as 'commander of the fighting forces', on two different occasions. Rather than a harp player the young adolescent boy was made "commander of the fighting forces," (1 Samuel 18:5) . A few verses later it says "David played the harp for Saul, as he had done before," (1 Samuel 18:10)

"Elhanan son of Jair of Bethlehem killed Goliath of Gath, whose spear had a shaft like a weaver's beam." (2nd Samuel 21:19) is changed in "Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, brother of Goliath of Gath, whose spear had a shaft like a weaver's beam." (1 Chronicles 20:5). ! Samuel 17says it was David who killed Goliath of Gath.

The Jebusites, we are told, had made Jerusalem into an impregnable fortress, surrounded by high, thick walls. There was a tunnel under the wall of Jerusalem which delivered water to the center of the city. David and his troops poured through this gap in the Jebusite defense and conquered Jerusalem. It was the Jebusites who dug the water tunnel, and then foolishly forgot to defend the hole under their wall. Then again we are told (2nd Kings 20:20) that it was King Hezekiah of Judah who dug the water tunnel to bring water into the heart of Jerusalem. David was the second king, Hezekiah was an hereditary monarch in the line of David, and he reigned centuries later. This leaves us with the little problem of how David could have invaded Jerusalem via a water gate that would not be constructed until several centuries later.obviously spun together like a woven clothe from many different colors of thread.

"The Philistines were subdued and no longer invaded Israel as long as Samuel lived for the hand of YAHWEH was against them...peace was maintained." (1 Samuel 7:13) "There was bitter war with the Philistines throughout Saul's reign." (1 Samuel 14:52)

Samuel was criticizing the conduct of King Saul and thus still alive. Samuel anointed David as King, and David killed Goliath during the Philistine war. (1 Samuel Chapters 15 and 17) Furthermore, as you can tell by reading the complete account, their was bitter war with the Philistines right up until the day that Samuel died.

According to 2 Samuel Chapter 8 verse 13 David killed 18,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt and stationed garrisons throughout Edom. According to the Chronicles, it was Abishai son of Zeruiah who killed those eighteen thousand Edomites in the valley of Salt; and he stationed garrisons throughout Edom. (1 Chronicles Chapter 18 verse 13)

The law books contain clues that indicate that the five books we have today could not have been written by a single individual (Moses, or otherwise). Who wrote the Bible? If Moses wrote a book, it would not be the first five books we find in the Bible. Moses wrote the book of the law (Genesis to Deuteronony) in one night and read it the next morning. (Exodus Chapter 24 verse 4) One could argue that he was a fast writer. However, we are also told that the entire law code was carved into the sides of a single altar, and it is hard to imagine the whole of those five books carved into the side of a single altar. (Deuteronomy Chapter 27, Joshua Chapter 8 verse 35). The text would have to be microscopic.

A long list of Kings of Edom who reigned in centuries after the death of Moses is found in Genesis Chapter 36 verse 31. Place names are referred to that did not exist until long after the death of Moses. In Genesis, Abraham went to Dan, a place name given long after Joshua. The tribe of Dan migrated to the northern most part of the country and took over some land, which they then renamed. (Judges Chapter 18 verse 27) . In the Genesis account Abraham goes to the city of Dan in Genesis chapter 14, but 'Dan' is not born until a later chapter, which takes place after the death of Abraham. "When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan." (Genesis Chapter 14 verse 14). "Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age." (Genesis Chapter 25 verse 8). "Then Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son"; therefore she called his name Dan." (Genesis Chapter 30 verse 6).

Moses died without ever being allowed to cross the Jordan, and the writer, who as the statement implies, is on 'The other side of the Jordan' looking back in the following sentence: "Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law." (Dueteronomy Chapter 1 verse 5). Similarly the writer surfaces repeatedly in the manuscript to insert commentary which clearly indicates a later date of composition. There are phrases such as "the Canaanite was then in the land." (Genesis Chapter 7 verse 6) and "...and the Canaanite and the Perizzites dwelled then in the land." (Genesis Chapter 3 verse 17) and "And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem,...and the Canaanite was then in the land." (Genesis Chapter 12 verse 6).

In the following passage the author is writing after the time that Israel had conquered the land, long after the time of Moses. "The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; As Israel did unto the land of his possession, which YAHWEH gave unto them" (Deuteronomy Chapter 2 verse 12) ... "And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel." (Genesis Chapter 36 verse 31) ... "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come." (Genesis Chapter 49 verse 10)
Both of these passages indicate a time of composition no earlier than the time of the first kings of Israel (Saul and David). The first lists the Kings of Edom who reigned 'before there were any kings in Israel', which implies that at the time of the composition there were kings in Israel, and the second assumes that Judah had 'the sceptre' (referring to a time no earlier than that of King David). Note that the following passage refers back to the time when the Israelites were 'in the wilderness' suggesting that the author was writing at a time when they no longer were there (and this could not have been Moses, who was not allowed to leave the wilderness with the people). "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day." (Numbers Chapter 15 verse 32). It is then stated that no one knew what to do with the man who had gathered sticks on the Sabbath. Now, if we follow the traditions in Exodus, while Moses was on the mountain, and long before the Israelites went wandering through the wilderness, God had given Moses laws explaining exactly what to do in such a situation. "Whosoever does any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death." (Exodus Chapter 31 verse 15). According to Exodus, the matter had been determined on Mount Sinai, and according to Numbers 'no one knew what to do,' and Moses had to go and find out. Therefore it is obvious that Moses could not have been the author of what to do in Exodus 31. The alternative tradition of the Sabbath law in the book of Numbers continues: "Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation; and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him. Then YAHWEH said to Moses, "The man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp." So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as YAHWEH had commanded Moses." (Numbers Chapter 15, verse 33)

There are numerous passages that indicate knowledge of the existence of the temple. These are particularly numerous in Deuteronomy, where one of the main themes is centralization of worship, a concept that was unknown and not practiced in earlier manuscripts, where sacrifices and offerings were made in diverse places, and the practice presented no problem. Other examples include: "The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of YAHWEH thy God." (Exodus Chapter 23 verse 19). No 'house' or temple, existed until after the time of King Solomon. "I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle." (2 Samuel Chapter 7 verse 6).

Let us now examine the following scriptures - "For only Og the king of Bashan was left as the sole survivor of the Rephaim; his bedstead of iron was nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth. It can still be seen in the Ammonite town of Rabbah." (Deuteronomy Chapter 3 verse 11). "All Bashan used to be called Rephaim. Jair son of Manasseh captured all the region of Argob as far as the Geshurite border. There are still tent villages there bearing his name." (Deuteronomy Chapter 3 verse 13) .
The reference to Manasseh is a reference to the conquest of the land as described in various ways in Joshua and Judges. Moses did not live to enter the land and these events took place after his death. The author is also writing about events in the past, for Manasseh is said to have captured these places at some time in the past, and now 'in the present time' there are 'still towns bearing his name.' The wording indicates that a considerable amount of time had passed, for it would not be remarkable or worth mentioning that 'towns still bear his name to this very day,' if the events described were not already part of distant history. Similarly the 'giant bed' could still be seen, another fact worth noting if one wishes to 'prove' that some historical event took place by directing readers to the location of a religious relic.

There is abundant evidence to support the testimony of the prophet Jeremiah who testified that the laws concerning burnt offering and sacrifice were not brought by Moses. He also testified that the Levites were forging the laws of God (Jeremiah 8: 8) and his testimony is consistent with the evidence that the Bible itself provides.
There is abundant evidence that Levitical regulations were unknown early in the period of the two kingdoms, as recorded particularly in the books of Samuel, the earliest 'historical' manuscripts in the Bible. For example we know that the judge and prophet Samuel was from the tribe of Ephraim. The lineage of his father was described in the opening passage of the books. "There was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite." (1 Samuel Chapter 1 verse 1)
The rules regarding the priesthood and priestly duties, such as sacrifice or burning incense restricted the practice to only Levites, from the tribe of Levi. Later the definition of a priest was narrowed even further, by restricting it only to those Levites who were considered linear descendants of Aaron the Levite. The law code is quite explicit and clear on these matters. "And of Levi he said, Give to Levi thy Thummim, and thy Urim to thy godly one. They shall teach Jacob thy ordinances, and Israel thy law; they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt offering upon thy altar." (Deuteronomy Chapter 33 verse 8)
The book of Leviticus, closely connected to the Aaronite cult in the Jerusalem temple, defines a priest more narrowly, as an Aaronite, and also describes their duties. "And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order upon the fire; and Aaron's sons the priests shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire upon the altar." (Leviticus Chapter 1 verse 7)
The regulations are so strict that any 'Aaronite' Levite who tried to perform the priestly functions would be put to death (in the Aaronite Numbers source). "And you (Aaron) and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any one else who comes near shall be put to death." (Numbers Chapter 18 verse 7)

In the early works of Samuel, we are told that "David's sons were priests.' (2 Samuel Chapter 8 verse 18) It was a law that only Levites from the tribe of Levi were allowed to be priests, however they allowed David's sons, who were from the tribe of Judah, and also of 'mixed origins' (Moabite-Israelite) to serve as priests, even though the Law stated, "No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of YAHWEH; even to the tenth generation none belonging to them shall enter the assembly of YAHWEH for ever ... You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days for ever." (Deuteronomy Chapter 23 verse 3) . The regulations then specify that an Egyptian or Edomite could enter the assembly after a few generations. (But Moabites were banned forever.) "You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a sojourner in his land. The children of the third generation that are born to them may enter the assembly of YAHWEH." (Deuteronomy Chapter 23 verse 7)
David's sons were disbarred from the priesthood both by being from the tribe of Judah, and by being of mixed origins, and were also barred, by Levite regulations, from even participating in the assembly of the people at the Temple, much less being priests, for the reasons of being both of mixed origins, and specifically of Moabite lineage.

We know that Samuel was from the tribe of Ephraim. He was not a Levite, and he certainly was not an Aaronite Levite (depending on how strict you want to get about those rules.) Nevertheless he proceeded to build an altar. Samuel did not restrict himself to sacrificing on his personal altar in Ramah, but he also sacrificed at the High Places in Gilgal (1 Samuel Chapter 10 verse 8) . Samuel is portrayed as knowing God personally and in very good favor with God. "And Samuel grew, and YAHWEH was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of YAHWEH. And YAHWEH appeared again at Shiloh, for YAHWEH revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of YAHWEH." (1 Samuel Chapter 3 verse 19) But according to the Torah, Samuel should have been put to death. "And you (Aaron) and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any one else who comes near shall be put to death." (Numbers Chapter 18 verse 7)

Samuel also practiced the priestly rites of consecration. "And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to YAHWEH; consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice." (1 Samuel Chapter 16 verse 5) But Samuel was not the only one offering sacrifices. Everyone was offering sacrifices. All the people offered sacrifices. "So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before YAHWEH in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before YAHWEH, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly." (1 Samuel Chapter 11 verse 15)
David's family sacrificed as well, every year. "If your father misses me at all, then say, ?avid earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.'" (1 Samuel Chapter 20 verse 6) . David also sacrificed. He also wore the priestly ephod. "And it was told King David, "YAHWEH has blessed the household of Obededom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of YAHWEH had gone six paces, he (David) sacrificed an ox and a fatling. And David danced before YAHWEH with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." (2 Samuel Chapter 6 verse 12)
And Absalom sacrificed "And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh." (2 Samuel Chapter 15 verse 12)
King Solomon sacrificed. He also burned incense, which the priests also forbade. "Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built to YAHWEH, burning incense before YAHWEH. So he finished the house." (1 Kings Chapter 9 verse 25)

There is an explicit reference to the ban on being concerned for Moabites found in (Deuteronomy Chapter 23 verse 3) "No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of YAHWEH; even to the tenth generation none belonging to them shall enter the assembly of YAHWEH for ever ... You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days for ever." which is a direct attack on the 'half breed Moabite' David dynasty. The highest officials are presented as the ones most guilty of the offence. Keep in mind that the entire book of Deuteronomy takes place in Moab, and that the Moabites were friendly with the Israelites, indicating that the anti-Moab polemic in Deuteronomy is a later addition.

In the book of the prophet Jeremiah we read that not only was Moses not the author of the Torah, but that the sacrificial system was a form of rebellion against God, and that the laws of God represented as coming from Moses were actually forged by the priesthood. "Thus says YAHWEH of hosts, the God of Israel, "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you? Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward." (Jeremiah Chapter 7 verse 21)

The law books specifically state that the laws of sacrifice were part of the Laws of Moses which he received while on Mount Sinai. "This is the law of the burnt offering, the grain offering and the sin offering and the guilt offering and the ordination offering and the sacrifice of peace offerings, which YAHWEH commanded Moses at Mount Sinai in the day that He commanded the sons of Israel to present their offerings to YAHWEH in the wilderness of Sinai." Leviticus Chapter 7 verse 37.

This statement clearly conflicts with the version of events given by Jeremiah. Jeremiah makes his condemnation of the law books explicit in the passage that follows: "My people do not know The ordinance of YAHWEH. How can you say, We are wise, And the law of YAHWEH is with us? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. The wise men are put to shame, They are dismayed and caught; Behold, they have rejected the word of YAHWEH, And what kind of wisdom do they have?" Jeremiah Chapter 8 verse 7.

The tradition of rejecting Mosaic authorship of the law books is also found in the psalms. "Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required" ... "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering." (Psalm Chapter 50 verse 9, Psalm Chapter 40 verse 6, Psalm Chapter 51 verse 16)

And in the prophet Micah we read: "With what shall I come before YAHWEH, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will YAHWEH be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does YAHWEH require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah Chapter 6 verse 6).

This rejection of Mosaic authorship is echoed in the book of Isaiah. "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says YAHWEH; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and calling of convocation? I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them." (Isaiah Chapter 1 verse 11).

Every one of the practices condemned as abominations by Isaiah in the following passage is advocated in the law books and supposedly commanded by Moses: "But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog's neck; He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine's blood; He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. These people have chosen their own ways and their souls revel in their abominations." (Isaiah Chapter 66 verse 3).

Isaiah refers to these practices as 'abominations' and, like Jeremiah, equates them with rebellion. They are all advocated in the law, supposedly delivered to Moses by God, the same God who then delivered messages condemning such practices to the prophets: "...and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before YAHWEH, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today YAHWEH will appear to you." Leviticus 9:18 Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings which was for the people; and Aaron's sons handed the blood to him and he sprinkled it around on the altar."
"When an ox or a sheep or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be accepted as a sacrifice of an offering by fire to YAHWEH."
"The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it the same grain offering and the same drink offering as in the morning, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to YAHWEH."
"Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to YAHWEH, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it." (Leviticus Chapter 9 verse 4, Leviticus Chapter 22 verse 27, Exodus Chapter 29 verse 41, Leviticus Chapter 2 verse 1)

Jesus clearly agreed with Isaiah: "How right Isaiah was when he prophesied concerning you, saying, 'this people pays me lip service, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, for they teach as doctrines the commandments of men." Jesus is clearly referring to the doctrines of the Law of the Torah as the commandments of men! He continues: "You neglect the commandments of God, in order to maintain your human traditions. How clever you are at setting aside the commandment of God in order to maintain your traditions...In this way by your traditions, handed down among you, you make God's word null and void. And you do many other things just like that. After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)" (Mark Chapter 7 verse 6).

The Torah law was a subject of hot debate within the early church, and both Jesus' rejection of the Torah regulations which confirmed the comments of the prophets clearly questions whether God gave them to Moses on Sinai.

From the time that Joseph was sold to when Jacob went to Egypt, 22 years passed. Joseph was 17 when sold as a slave to the Egyptians and he was 30 when Pharaoh called him from prison. Add seven years of plenty, and two years of famine before Jacob arrived and you get a total of 22 years. In this brief period the following events must have taken place ...
Judah married at the beginning of this period and had three children from one wife. The oldest then married, died, and his brother succeeded him. Then Judah had intercourse with his daughter-in-law. Having found her by the side of the road, he assumed she was a harlot. She bore twins from this union and then the oldest twin became a father, and all of this in 22 years.

Let us now consider a verse in the New Testament: "One Sabbath Joshua was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pick ears of corn. And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath ... And they watched him, to see whether he would heal on the saAgathaso that they might accuse him ... And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out, and immediately began plotting with Herod's men to bring about Joshua's death." (Mark Chapter 2 verse 23).

It is obvious to me that Mark was writing 'freeform' and due to human error two erroneous facts are found in the passage above. The incident referred to is related in the book of 1 Samuel, and in the passage that follows the italics indicate the relevant facts: "Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one with you?" And David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has charged me with a matter ... Now then, what have you at hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here." And the priest answered David, "I have no common bread at hand, but there is holy bread." (1 Samuel Chapter 21 verse 1) .
The name of the priest was Ahimelech, not Abiathar, and while Mark points out that after David ate the forbidden bread he "also gave it to those who were with him" in the original story it explicitly states that David was alone "and no one is with you."

GE 1:11-12, 26-27 Trees were created before man was created.
GE 2:4-9 Man was created before trees were created.

GE 1:20-21, 26-27 Birds were created before man was created.
GE 2:7, 19 Man was created before birds were created.

GE 1:24-27 Animals were created before man was created.
GE 2:7, 19 Man was created before animals were created.

GE 1:26-27 Man and woman were created at the same time.
GE 2:7, 21-22 Man was created first, woman sometime later.

GE 2:4, 4:26, 12:8, 22:14-16, 26:25 God was already known as "the Lord" (Jahveh or Jehovah) much earlier than the time of Moses.
EX 6:2-3 God was first known as "the Lord" (Jahveh or Jehovah) at the time of the Egyptian Bondage, during the life of Moses.

GE 6:19-22, 7:8-9, 7:14-16 Two of each kind are to be taken, and are taken, aboard Noah's Ark.
GE 7:2-5 Seven pairs of some kinds are to be taken (and are taken) aboard the Ark.

GE 11:12 Arpachshad [Arphaxad] was the father of Shelah.
LK 3:35-36 Cainan was the father of Shelah. Arpachshad was the grandfather of Shelah.

GE 11:26 Terah was 70 years old when his son Abram was born.
GE 11:32 Terah was 205 years old when he died (making Abram 135 at the time).
GE 12:4 Abram was 75 when he left Haran. This was after Terah died. Thus, Terah could have been no more than 145 when he died; or Abram was only 75 years old after he had lived 135 years.

GE 12:7, 17:1, 18:1, 26:2, 32:30, EX 3:16, 6:2-3, 24:9-11, 33:11, NU 12:7-8, 14:14, JB 42:5, AM 7:7-8, 9:1 God is seen.
EX 33:20, JN 1:18, 1JN 4:12 God is not seen. No one can see God's face and live. No one has ever seen him.

GE 35:10 God says Jacob is to be called Jacob no longer; henceforth his name is Israel.
GE 46:2 At a later time, God himself uses the name Jacob.

GE 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
GE 36:15-16 Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz.
1CH 1:35-36 Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.

EX 3:1 Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses.
NU 10:29, JG 4:11 (KJV) Hobab was the father-in-law of Moses.

EX 23:7 God prohibits the killing of the innocent.
NU 31:17-18, DT 7:2, JS 6:21-27, 7:19-26, 8:22-25, 10:20, 40, 11:8-15, 20, JG 11:30-39, 21:10-12, 1SA 15:3 God orders or approves the complete extermination of groups of people which include innocent women and/or children.
(Note: See Atrocities section for many other examples of the killing of innocents.)

NU 25:9 24,000 died in the plague.
1CO 10:8 23,000 died in the plague.

NU 33:38 Aaron died on Mt. Hor.
DT 10:6 Aaron died in Mosera.

NU 33:41-42 After Aaron's death, the Israelites journeyed from Mt. Hor, to Zalmonah, to Punon, etc.
DT 10:6-7 After Aaron's death, the Israelites journeyed from Mosera, to Gudgodah, to Jotbath.

JG 4:21 Sisera was sleeping when Jael killed him.
JG 5:25-27 Sisera was standing.

JS 10:38-40 Joshua himself captured Debir.
JG 1:11-15 It was Othniel, who thereby obtained the hand of Caleb's daughter, Achsah.

1SA 15:7-8, 20 The Amalekites are utterly destroyed.
1SA 27:8-9 They are utterly destroyed (again?).
1SA 30:1, 17-18 They raid Ziklag and David smites them (again?).

1SA 31:4-6 Saul killed himself by falling on his sword.
2SA 1:2-10 Saul, at his own request, was slain by an Amalekite.
2SA 21:12 Saul was killed by the Philistines on Gilboa.
1CH 10:13-14 Saul was slain by God.

2SA 6:23 Michal was childless.
2SA 21:8 (KJV) She had five sons.

2SA 24:1 The Lord inspired David to take the census.
1CH 21:1 Satan inspired the census.

2SA 24:9 The census count was: Israel 800,000 and Judah 500,000.
1CH 21:5 The census count was: Israel 1,100,000 and Judah 470,000.

2SA 24:24 David paid 50 shekels of silver for the purchase of a property.
1CH 21:22-25 He paid 600 shekels of gold.

1KI 4:26 Solomon had 40,000 horses (or stalls for horses).
2CH 9:25 He had 4,000 horses (or stalls for horses).

1KI 5:16 Solomon had 3,300 supervisors.
2CH 2:2 He had 3,600 supervisors.

1KI 7:15-22 The two pillars were 18 cubits high.
2CH 3:15-17 They were 35 cubits high.

1KI 7:26 Solomon's "molten sea" held 2000 "baths" (1 bath = about 8 gallons).
2CH 4:5 It held 3000 "baths."

1KI 9:28 420 talents of gold were brought back from Ophir.
2CH 8:18 450 talents of gold were brought back from Ophir.

1KI 15:14 Asa did not remove the high places.
2CH 14:2-3 He did remove them.

1KI 16:6-8 Baasha died in the 26th year of King Asa's reign.
2CH 16:1 Baasha built a city in the 36th year of King Asa's reign.

1KI 16:23 Omri became king in the thirty-first year of Asa's reign and he reigned for a total of twelve years.
1KI 16:28-29 Omri died, and his son Ahab became king in the thirty- eighth year of Asa's reign.

1KI 22:42-43 Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places.
2CH 17:5-6 He did remove them.

2KI 8:25-26 Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began his reign.
2CH 22:2 He was 42 when he began his reign. [Note: Some translations use "twenty-two" here in an attempt to rectify this discrepancy. The Hebrew is clear, however, that 2CH 22:2 is 42. The Hebrew words involved are Strong's H705 and H8147, "forty" and "two," respectively.]

2KI 9:27 Jehu shot Ahaziah near Ibleam. Ahaziah fled to Meggido and died there.
2CH 22:9 Ahaziah was found hiding in Samaria, brought to Jehu, and put to death.

2KI 16:5 The King of Syria and the son of the King of Israel did not conquer Ahaz.
2CH 28:5-6 They did conquer Ahaz.

2KI 24:8 Jehoiachin (Jehoiakim) was eighteen years old when he began to reign.
2CH 36:9 He was eight. (Note: This discrepancy has been "corrected" in some versions.)

2KI 24:8 Jehoiachin (Jehoiakim) reigned three months.
2CH 36:9 He reigned three months and ten days.

2KI 24:17 Jehoiachin (Jehoaikim) was succeeded by his uncle.
2CH 36:10 He was succeeded by his brother.

1CH 3:11-13 The lineage is: Joram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham.
MT 1:8-9 It is: Joram, Uzziah, Jotham, etc.

1CH 3:19 Pedaiah was the father of Zerubbabel.
ER 3:2 Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.

ER 2:3-64 Gives the whole congregation as 42,360 while the actual sum of the numbers is about 30,000.