A Few KJV "Errors"

Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. - 2 Chronicles 36:9 (KJV)

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. - 2 Kings 24:8 (KJV)

Explanation: Jehoiachin was the rightful king in God's eyes at age eight, but was not permitted to ascend the throne until 10 years later due to interference from Pharaohnechoh (2 Kings 23:34). Chronicles presents God's viewpoint, while Kings presents man's perspective.

The Number of Solomon's Horses

And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. - 1 Kings 4:26 (KJV)

And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. - 2 Chronicles 9:25 (KJV)

Explanation: Given that there were 10 horses (on average) per chariot, the 40,000 stalls in 1 Kings likely refer to individual horse stalls, while the 4,000 stalls in 2 Chronicles refer to chariot stalls. This perfectly reconciles the two accounts: 4,000 chariots with 10 horses each equals 40,000 horses.

The Sea of Cast Metal

And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. - 1 Kings 7:23 (KJV)

Explanation: Pi x 10 = 31.4159, while 30 appears to be too much of an estimate. If the measurement was taken from the inside rim while the circumference was measured from the outside, this would account for the apparent discrepancy.

The Timing of Jesus' Crucifixion

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. - Mark 15:25 (KJV)

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! - John 19:14 (KJV)

Explanation: This apparent discrepancy can be resolved by understanding different time-keeping systems (Jewish hours were numbered since sunrise, Roman since midnight).

The Census Numbers

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. - 2 Samuel 24:9 (KJV)

And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. - 1 Chronicles 21:5 (KJV)

Explanation: The difference in numbers is due to different categories being counted. In Israel, there were 800,000 "valiant" men or experienced soldiers, but 1,100,000 total men who could draw a sword. In Judah, there were 500,000 men total, but only 470,000 who drew the sword. This accounts for the apparent discrepancy between the two passages.

Ahaziah's Age When He Began to Reign

Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. - 2 Kings 8:26 (KJV)

Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. - 2 Chronicles 22:2 (KJV)

Explanation: Ahaziah was indeed 22 years old when he became sovereign of Judah, not 42. This is clear from the fact that his father, Jehoram, was 40 years old at the time of his death (Jehoram was 32 when he ascended to the crown and ruled 8 years: 32 + 8 = 40; II Kings 8:16-17).

The apparent discrepancy in II Chronicles 22:2 is resolved by understanding the Hebrew idiom used. The literal Hebrew reads "a son of 42 years" in his reigning, which doesn't necessarily refer to Ahaziah's personal age. The Chronicler, writing centuries after Kings, is using a different reference point.

The 42 years refers to the dynasty of Omri in Israel, of which Ahaziah was a part through his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and granddaughter of Omri. Thus, Ahaziah began his reign at age 22, during the 42nd year of Omri's dynasty.

This interpretation emphasizes Ahaziah's connection to the idolatrous lineage of Omri, explaining why he, along with his son Joash and grandson Amaziah, were omitted from the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:8.

Baasha's 36th Year

In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. - 2 Chronicles 16:1 (KJV)

So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead. In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. - 1 Kings 16:6,8 (KJV)

Explanation: The apparent contradiction between these passages (Baasha coming against Asa in his 36th year vs. Baasha dying in Asa's 26th year) is resolved by understanding that the Chronicler is using a different reference point.

The "36th year" in 2 Chronicles 16:1 refers not to Asa's personal reign, but to the years since the division of the monarchy when the Judaic dynasty began under Rehoboam. The Hebrew word "malkuwth" used here can denote "realm," "dynasty," or "kingdom," rather than personal "reign."

In fact, Baasha fortified Ramah in the 16th year of Asa's personal reign, which was the 36th year of the Kingdom of Judah since the division of the monarchy.