Question #1:

Hi Jason,

In your debate with Doug Krueger, you said "In fact, if you have an alleged error, please email it to them", and I have found a contradiction that your SAB: Revised and Explained answers with a mathematical error on your part and a bad interpretation. Here is the contradiction:

1 Chronicles 19:18
18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

2 Samuel 10:18
18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

Now, in your SAB:E&R, you claim that in the 2 Samuel 10:18 account "there were 700 companies with 100 in each."

Firstly, 700 x 100 = 70,000 and not 7000. Secondly, you cannot fit 100 people on a chariot.

Here is the Hebrew text:

"wayyacharog David me'aram sheva' me'ot rekev" - 2 Samuel 10:18

"wayyacharog David me'aram shiv'at 'alafim rekev" - 1 Chronicles 19:18

[the italics are the numbers 700, and 7000]

So, you are interpreting two meanings into exactly the same language. You are assuming the bible is inerrant, and then twisting meanings to suit your assumption. If you think this is valid, then I will hold up the inerrancy of the Quran using the same standards.

Answer #1:

Thank you for your question.

First, my full and complete rebuttal is called The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained.  I'm wondering if you have a copy or not.  The mathematical error of mine that you cite was only made in the very earliest version of my CD-ROM.  It was quickly corrected and subsequent versions (it's currently in its 3rd edition) reflect this.

You are correct in saying you can't fit 100 people on a chariot.  However, this isn't what the verse is saying.  There were 700 companies with 10 in each company; not each chariot.

Here is the answer from my book:

2 Samuel 10:18 indicates David killed 700 men in chariots.  1 Chronicles 19:18 indicates he killed 7000 men in chariots.  This omission is very similar to the one in 2 Samuel 8:4.  The author of 2 Samuel simply indicated the number of companies (or leaders).  There were 700 companies with 10 in each.  Therefore, there were 7000 men in chariots.

As for the Koran, I'd be happy to address it if you wish.  It fails on its own merits.  You can see my research on it here: http://koran.jcsm.org.

Thanks again and God bless you.

Sincerely,

Jason Gastrich