“Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the oak 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)
“Then you will go on from there and you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb at Zelah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found.'”– 1 Samuel 10:3 (NLT)
“Then you’ll proceed from there and you’ll come to the oak of Tabor. There you’ll meet three men going up to God at Bethel. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and the third a container of wine.”– 1 Samuel 10:3 (MSG)
What Does 1 Samuel 10:3 Mean?
This verse holds significance in the context of God’s anointing of Saul as king over Israel. It illustrates a prophetic encounter that Saul would have on his journey. The mention of “three men” and the specific items they carry emphasizes that their meeting is not just a coincidence but rather a divine appointment. In literature, numbers often have symbolic meaning, and here, the number three could represent completeness or divine perfection in godly actions. As Saul continues on his path, he is reaffirmed that God is orchestrating events to lead him into his new role.
This passage is also about reassurance. Just as Saul will receive confirmation from these men, we too can remember that when we walk in faith, God provides us with signs of His presence and guidance. We might not always see the direction clearly, but when we trust in Him, we receive confirmations that affirm our journey. The three men represent the body of believers that we often encounter on our faith journey. God places people in our paths to remind us of our calling and to help guide us along the way. This verse is a beautiful reminder that God is always working behind the scenes in our lives.
1 Samuel 10:3 Explanation and Commentary
Context of 1 Samuel 10:3
Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Samuel 10:3
Lessons to Learn From 1 Samuel 10:3
Final Thoughts
We encourage you to explore further scripture insights and teachings. Check out resources such as Acts 14:24, where the shared journey of outreach calls for collaboration. Embrace the story of Joshua’s leadership in Joshua 10:18, and how community can fortify our mission.
Continue to dive into God’s Word, letting Scripture inspire you to find your place in His narrative. As we journey together, let’s support and lift one another up, just as Saul received encouragement along his way.