Bible Strands
1 Samuel 3:20
So all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that the entire nation recognized Samuel’s prophetic authority after he faithfully delivered God’s unaltered message to Eli’s household. This declaration follows the Lord’s continued appearances to Samuel at Shiloh.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיֵּדַע (va.yēḏaʿ) literally means "and he knew," denoting established recognition rather than initial discovery. The geographical marker כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִדָּן וְעַד בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (kol-yiśrāʾēl miḏān wəʿaḏ bəʾēr šæḇaʿ) specifies that the whole territory from north to south acknowledged this reality.
The thread — The boundary phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" marks national scope in Judges 20:1 and 2 Samuel 3:10. The theme of divine appointment and confirmation for a servant appears in 1 Timothy 1:12.
Why it lands — The text establishes that God’s word, delivered through an appointed messenger, carries authoritative weight that the community must acknowledge. Readers must accept that faithful proclamation, regardless of the messenger’s background, establishes divine truth across the nation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Judges 20:1 Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
- 2 Samuel 3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
- 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
- 2 Samuel 17:11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.