King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 10:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 10:3 in the King James Version says “Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three me...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:”

1 Samuel 10:3 · KJV

Context

1

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

2

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? care: Heb. business

3

Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

4

And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. salute: Heb. ask thee of peace

5

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

The second sign involves an encounter with pilgrims traveling to Bethel for worship. The Hebrew 'elon' (translated 'plain') likely refers to the oak or terebinth of Tabor, a notable landmark. These three men carry the essential elements of sacrifice: kids (young goats) for the animal offering, bread as a grain offering accompaniment, and wine for the drink offering. Their journey 'up to God' (el-ha'elohim) reflects the theological understanding of worship as ascent into God's presence. Bethel, meaning 'house of God,' was where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 28) and remained a worship site before Jerusalem's centralization. This sign would demonstrate that God controls not only Saul's path but also the movements of all His people, weaving individual lives into His grand tapestry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Before Solomon's temple centralized worship in Jerusalem, multiple legitimate worship sites existed throughout Israel. Bethel held particular significance due to its patriarchal associations. The offerings described align with Levitical regulations for fellowship offerings, indicating continued religious observance despite the spiritual decline at Shiloh.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does seeing God orchestrate the movements of multiple people strengthen your faith in His providence?
  2. What does the pilgrims' faithful worship during Israel's dark period teach about maintaining devotion in difficult times?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְחָֽלַפְתָּ֙1 of 29

“Then shalt thou go on”

H2498

properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change

מִשָּׁ֜ם2 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וָהָ֗לְאָה3 of 29

“forward”

H1973

to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far

וּבָ֙אתָ֙4 of 29

“from thence and thou shalt come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַד5 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֵל֣וֹן6 of 29

“to the plain”

H436

an oak or other strong tree

תָּב֔וֹר7 of 29

“of Tabor”

H8396

tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent

וּמְצָא֤וּךָ8 of 29

“and there shall meet”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

שָּׁם֙9 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙10 of 29

“thee three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אֲנָשִׁ֔ים11 of 29

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

עֹלִ֥ים12 of 29

“going up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶל13 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים14 of 29

“to God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בֵּֽית15 of 29
H0
אֵ֑ל16 of 29

“to Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְאֶחָ֥ד17 of 29

“and another”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

נֹשֵׂ֖א18 of 29

“carrying”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙19 of 29

“thee three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

גְדָיִ֗ים20 of 29

“kids”

H1423

a young goat (from browsing)

וְאֶחָ֥ד21 of 29

“and another”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

נֹשֵׂ֖א22 of 29

“carrying”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙23 of 29

“thee three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

כִּכְּר֣וֹת24 of 29

“loaves”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

לֶ֔חֶם25 of 29

“of bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְאֶחָ֥ד26 of 29

“and another”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

נֹשֵׂ֖א27 of 29

“carrying”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

נֵֽבֶל28 of 29

“a bottle”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

יָֽיִן׃29 of 29

“of wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 10:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 35:3Genesis 35:1Genesis 28:22Genesis 28:19Leviticus 23:13Leviticus 3:12

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
Tabor 3Tree · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 1 Samuel 10 →

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