Silly "Bible Contradiction" #32: Who's Your Daddy? Ahimelech and Abiathar

This supposed Bible contradiction is based on a likely scribal error. It is noted that 1 Samuel 22:20; 23:6 present Ahimelech as the father of Abiathar. In contrast, 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 18:16; 24:6 present the reverse order with Abiathar as father of Ahimelech.

However, in the Syriac manuscript tradition, 2 Samuel 8:17 agrees with the passages in 1 Samuel. It appears that a minor scribal error has crept into the recording of the manuscripts especially for 1 Chronicles.

One has to remember that manuscripts were created by hand. Sometimes the manuscript was read aloud by one scribe and recorded by other scribes to make multiple copies of a book. One can readily see how this process could lead to an error in reading or an error in hearing that would reverse the recording of the information. This is another example of how the study of textual criticism is a valueable tool for biblical studies. Most likely, the corrrect information is that Ahimelech was the father of Abiathar.

Principle: Compare manuscripts and versions to get the fullest picture of what is happening in the scribal tradition. Don't sweat the small stuff.