Why is the number of men killed at one time by the chief of David's mighty men recorded differently in 1 Chronicles and 2 Samuel?

In 2 Samuel 23:8 the name of the chief of David’s mighty men is given as “Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite” (ESV). In 1 Chronicles 11:11 the name of the same person is given as “Jashobeam, a Hachmonite.” The KJV adds, “the same was Adino, the Eznite,” a rendering brought over from the Septuagint.  My question is in regard to the number of people Adino (that’s the easiest of his several names) killed at one time. 2 Samuel says it was eight hundred; 1 Chronicles credits him with killing only 300 at one time. Since these are the only two mentions of Adino in scripture and since the texts are otherwise very similar I assume that the “one time” killings mentioned in both passages mutually refer to the same battle. However, the significant difference in the body counts recorded in the two passages is disturbing to me as one who believes strongly in the inerrancy and infallibility of scripture. All scripture is important, so I’m sure the apparent discrepancy is there for a reason.

1 Chronicles 11:11

ESV - ¹¹ This is an account of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against 300 whom he killed at one time.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked November 13 2015 • David Robinson