Shiloh, where Samuel served

Shiloh is a place I am most looking forward to visiting during a 14 day trip to the Holy Land in May 2018. Shilo is where the Tabernacle was located from the time of Joshua to the days of King David. Shiloh is on the Central Ridge highway traveled by Abraham, Jacob, many of the judges, kings and by Jesus and his parents.

The Central Ridge Highway (Israel Route 60) goes through the heart of the country where the people lived, not along the coast or through the Jordan River Valley. We will be in proximity of GIlbeah, Rama, Mizpah, Bethel, Michmash, Ophrah on our journey to visit Shiloh, about 25 miles north of Jerusalem.

In pre-history there have been various finds at Shiloh. These include an ancient cave where people lived. This primitive settlement grew into a walled city by the time of Joshua and a cultic site. The site was conquered in the conquest as Joshua was directing the sons of Joseph, descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh to have enough faith to conquer their assigned territory.

Joshua 18:1 tells us, “The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent Shiloh meeting there.” This was the beginning of worship at this site and continued for 369 years. The tabernacle was not moved, which probably added to the tent lasting that long. The people of Israel visited this site for the three harvest festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Josephus says, “Joshua removed his camp to the mountainous country, and placed the tabernacle in the city of Shiloh, for that seemed a fit place for it, because of the beauty of its situation.” (Antiquities 5.1.19)

The Mishnah states, “Shiloh differed from Jerusalem only in that at Shiloh they could consume the lesser Holy Things and the second tithe anywhere within sight (of Shilo); but at Jerusalem only within the city wall. But both here and there the Most Holy Things could be consumed only wiithin the curtains. After the sanctification of Shiloh it was permissible to set up high places elsewhere; but after the sanctification of Jerusalem it was not permissible. (Megillah 1.11)

The town of Shiloh is located in the heart of today’s West Bank. In the days of the Judges this area was the seat of government. Samuel traveled from Rama to “Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places.” (1 Sam 7:16) Judges Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jair, Jephtah and Abdon were from the West Bank tribes of Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh. We will visit the land they protected and called home.
Most people would be familiar with the story of how Samuel the prophet came to live in the Tabernacle and care for its contents. Eleazar, son of Aaron, his son Phinehas, Abijah, Bukki, Uzzi, Eli, Ithamar and Ahitub probably served as High Priests at this site. During the time of King David the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were taken from Shiloh and relocated to Jerusalem.

At Shiloh we will see an ancient synagogue and the Tel of the city. The gates of the city have been uncovered as well as Eli’s grave. It is thought that a flat area carved from rock was the location for the Tabernacle.

I look forward to traveling to Shiloh as I have not been there before. The stories of Shiloh are memorable because they predate Jerusalem. This is the Tabernacle King Saul visited and David would have come to as a boy. We will see many unique sights while in Israel and gain new insights into the Bible. For more details visit our our Israel Tour page at www.KosheCopy.com. Sign up today for a discount!