1 Samuel 10:3
New International Version
“Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine.

New Living Translation
“When you get to the oak of Tabor, you will see three men coming toward you who are on their way to worship God at Bethel. One will be bringing three young goats, another will have three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a wineskin full of wine.

English Standard Version
Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.

Berean Standard Bible
Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.

New American Standard Bible
Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you: one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine.

NASB 1995
“Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine;

NASB 1977
“Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine;

Legacy Standard Bible
Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine;

Amplified Bible
Then you will go on further from there, and you will come to the terebinth tree of Tabor, and three men going up to [sacrifice to] God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine.

Christian Standard Bible
“You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a clay jar of wine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a skin of wine.

American Standard Version
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the oak of Tabor; and there shall meet thee there 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:

Contemporary English Version
Go on from there until you reach the big oak tree at Tabor, where you'll meet three men on their way to worship God at Bethel. One of them will be leading three young goats, another will be carrying three round loaves of bread, and the last one will be carrying a clay jar of wine.

English Revised Version
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the oak of Tabor, and there shall meet thee there 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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Keep going until you come to the oak tree at Tabor. There you will find three men on their way to worship God at Bethel: One will be carrying three young goats, one will be carrying three loaves of bread, and one will be carrying a [full] wineskin.

Good News Translation
You will go on from there until you come to the sacred tree at Tabor, where you will meet three men on their way to offer a sacrifice to God at Bethel. One of them will be leading three young goats, another one will be carrying three loaves of bread, and the third one will have a leather bag full of wine.

International Standard Version
Then you'll go on further from there and come to the oak at Tabor. There three men going up to the LORD at Bethel will meet you. One will be herding three young goats, one will be carrying three loaves of bread, and one will be carrying a bottle of wine.

Majority Standard Bible
Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.

NET Bible
"As you continue on from there, you will come to the tall tree of Tabor. At that point three men who are going up to God at Bethel will meet you. One of them will be carrying three young goats, one of them will be carrying three round loaves of bread, and one of them will be carrying a container of wine.

New Heart English Bible
Then you will go on further from there and you will come to the oak of Tabor, and three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you. One will be carrying three young goats, and another carrying three containers of bread, and another carrying a container of wine.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
“Then you will go on forward from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men will meet you there going up to God to Bethel: one carrying three young goats, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a container of wine.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have passed on there, and beyond, and have come to the oak of Tabor, and three men going up to God to Beth-El have found you there, one carrying three kids, and one carrying three cakes of bread, and one carrying a bottle of wine,

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou hast passed on thence, and beyond, and hast come in unto the oak of Tabor, and found thee there have three men going up unto God to Beth-El, one bearing three kids, and one bearing three cakes of bread, and one bearing a bottle of wine,

Smith's Literal Translation
And pass on from thence and beyond, and thou camest to the oak of Tabor, there three men shall find thee going up to God, to the house of God, one lifting up three kids and one lifting up three rounds of bread, and one lifting up a skin of wine.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when thou shalt depart from thence, and go farther on, and shalt come to the oak of Thabor, there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when you will have departed from there, and will have traveled farther, and will have arrived at the oak of Tabor, in that place three men, who are going up to God at Bethel, will find you. One will be bringing three young goats, and another three loaves of bread, and another will be carrying a bottle of wine.

New American Bible
Farther on, when you arrive at the oak of Tabor, three men will meet you as they go up to God at Bethel; one will be bringing three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and the third a skin of wine.

New Revised Standard Version
Then you shall go on from there further and come to the oak of Tabor; three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then when you shall go on from there and you shall come to the oak of Tabor, behold, you will find there three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids and another carrying three loaves of bread and another carrying a skin of wine;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when you have passed far beyond and you arrive at the Oak of Tabor, behold you will find there three men going up to God to Bayth Eil, one carrying three kids and one carrying three loaves of bread and one carrying a jar of wine
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the terebinth of Tabor, and there shall meet thee there 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt depart thence, and shalt go beyond that as far as the oak of Thabor, and thou shalt find there three men going up to God to Baethel, one bearing three kids, and another bearing three vessels of bread, and another bearing a bottle of wine.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel Anoints Saul
2When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?” ’ 3Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hands.…

Cross References
Genesis 35:16-20
Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. / During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.” / And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin. ...

Genesis 35:8
Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bacuth.

Genesis 48:7
Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).

Judges 4:5
And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment.

Judges 21:19
“But look,” they said, “there is a yearly feast to the LORD in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.”

1 Samuel 9:4
So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.

1 Samuel 9:5
When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

1 Samuel 9:6
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

1 Samuel 9:11
And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?”

1 Samuel 9:12
“Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

1 Samuel 9:14
So Saul and his servant went up toward the city, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

1 Samuel 9:16
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

1 Samuel 9:18
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

1 Samuel 9:20
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”

1 Samuel 9:25
And after they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof of his house.


Treasury of Scripture

Then shall you go on forward from there, and you shall come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet you 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:

Tabor

Joshua 19:12,22
And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia, …

Judges 4:6,12
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? …

Judges 8:18
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

Beth-el

Genesis 28:19,22
And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first…

Genesis 35:1,3,6,7
And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother…

three kids

Leviticus 1:10
And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

Leviticus 3:6,12
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish…

Leviticus 7:13
Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.

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Bethel Beth-El Bottle Bread Carrying Kids Loaves Meet Oak Plain Tabor Terebinth Thence Three Wine
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Bethel Beth-El Bottle Bread Carrying Kids Loaves Meet Oak Plain Tabor Terebinth Thence Three Wine
1 Samuel 10
1. Samuel anoints Saul
2. He confirms him by prediction of three signs
9. Saul's heart is changed, and he prophesies
14. He conceals the matter of the kingdom from his uncle
17. Saul is chosen at Mizpeh by lot
26. The different affections of his subjects














Then you will go on from there until you come to the Oak of Tabor.
The Oak of Tabor is a significant landmark in the narrative, though its exact location is not definitively known today. Oaks were often used as meeting places or landmarks in ancient Israel, symbolizing strength and endurance. This particular oak may have been a well-known site for travelers. The mention of Tabor could refer to a region or a specific tree, not necessarily Mount Tabor, which is located in the northern part of Israel. The journey signifies a transition in Saul's life, moving from his private life to his public role as king.

Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there,
Bethel, meaning "house of God," was a significant religious site in Israel's history. It was a place where patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob had encounters with God. The act of "going up to God" suggests a pilgrimage or religious duty, indicating the men's devotion. This encounter is divinely orchestrated, serving as a sign to Saul of God's guidance and confirmation of his anointing as king.

one carrying three young goats,
The three young goats could symbolize a sacrificial offering, as goats were commonly used in various sacrifices and religious rituals in Israel. The number three often signifies completeness or divine perfection in the Bible. This detail highlights the men's purpose and the sacred nature of their journey, reinforcing the theme of divine providence in Saul's path.

another carrying three loaves of bread,
Bread is a staple food and often represents sustenance and provision in biblical texts. The three loaves may symbolize the provision of God, both physically and spiritually. Bread is also significant in covenantal meals and offerings, pointing to fellowship and communion with God. This detail underscores the theme of God's provision and care for His people.

and another carrying a skin of wine.
Wine in the Bible is frequently associated with joy, celebration, and covenantal blessings. The skin of wine carried by the third man could symbolize the joy and abundance that comes from God's favor. Wine is also used in religious ceremonies, such as offerings and feasts, indicating the sacredness of the journey. This element of the narrative foreshadows the blessings and responsibilities that come with Saul's anointing as king.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samuel
The prophet who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. He is God's chosen instrument to guide Saul in his early reign.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God and anointed by Samuel. This verse is part of the signs given to Saul to confirm his anointing.

3. Oak of Tabor
A significant landmark mentioned in the account. It serves as a meeting point for Saul and the three men.

4. Three Men
These individuals are on a pilgrimage to Bethel, carrying offerings. They symbolize God's provision and the confirmation of Saul's kingship.

5. Bethel
A sacred place in Israel, often associated with worship and encounters with God. It signifies the spiritual journey and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
Divine Confirmation
God provides specific signs to confirm His calling and purpose in our lives, as seen in the detailed instructions given to Saul.

Provision and Preparation
The three men carrying provisions symbolize God's readiness to equip us for the tasks He assigns. Trust in His provision as you step into new roles.

Spiritual Pilgrimage
The journey to Bethel represents our spiritual journey towards God. Regular worship and dedication are essential in our walk with Him.

Symbolism of Offerings
The goats, bread, and wine carried by the men can be seen as symbols of sacrifice, sustenance, and joy in the Lord. Reflect on how these elements are present in your spiritual life.

Obedience to God's Guidance
Saul's encounter with the men is a reminder to follow God's guidance even when the path is not fully clear. Obedience leads to the fulfillment of His promises.(3) Thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor.--The accurate translation of the Hebrew is "to the terebinth or oak of Tabor." There was evidently a history, now lost, connected with the "terebinth of Tabor." Ewald suggests that "Tabor" is a different form for Deborah, and that this historic tree was the oak beneath which Deborah, the nurse of Rachel, was buried (Genesis 35:8).

Going up to God to Beth-el.--This since the old patriarchal days had been a sacred spot. Samuel used to visit it as judge, and hold his court there annually, no doubt on account of the number of pilgrims who were in the habit of visiting it. These men were evidently on a pilgrimage to the old famous shrine.

Verse 3. The second sign was to be the presenting of an offering to him out of their sacrificial gifts by three men going on a pilgrimage to Bethel. He would meet them not in the plain of Tabor, but at the oak, elon, of Tabor. Many attempt to connect this elon-Tabor with the allon, or oak, under which Deborah, Rachel's nurse, was buried (Genesis 35:8), and suppose that Tabor is a corruption of the name Deborah. This is scarcely possible, and it is better to acknowledge that we know nothing of the site of this tree, except that it was on the road to Bethel. This was one of the places which Samuel used to visit as judge (1 Samuel 7:16); but these men were on a pilgrimage thither because since the days of Jacob it had been a sacred spot, and a chief seat of the old patriarchal worship, for which see 1 Samuel 9:12.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then you will go
וְחָלַפְתָּ֨ (wə·ḥā·lap̄·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2498: To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change

on
וָהָ֗לְאָה (wā·hā·lə·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 1973: To the distance, far away, thus far

from there
מִשָּׁ֜ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

until you come
וּבָ֙אתָ֙ (ū·ḇā·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the oak
אֵל֣וֹן (’ê·lō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 436: An oak, other strong tree

of Tabor.
תָּב֔וֹר (tā·ḇō·wr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8396: Tabor -- a mountain Southwest of the Sea of Galilee

Three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

men
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

going up
עֹלִ֥ים (‘ō·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

God
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

at Bethel
אֵ֑ל (’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah

will meet you
וּמְצָא֤וּךָ (ū·mə·ṣā·’ū·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

there,
שָּׁם֙ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

one
אֶחָ֞ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

carrying
נֹשֵׂ֣א ׀ (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

young goats,
גְדָיִ֗ים (ḡə·ḏā·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1423: A kid (a young goat)

another
וְאֶחָד֙ (wə·’e·ḥāḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

carrying
נֹשֵׂ֗א (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

three
שְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

loaves
כִּכְּר֣וֹת (kik·kə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of bread,
לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

and another
וְאֶחָ֥ד (wə·’e·ḥāḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

carrying
נֹשֵׂ֖א (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

a skin
נֵֽבֶל־ (nê·ḇel-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5035: A skin-bag for, liquids, a vase, a lyre

of wine.
יָֽיִן׃ (yā·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication


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OT History: 1 Samuel 10:3 Then you shall go on forward (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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