37
καὶ ἦλθεν τὸ παιδάριον ἕως τοῦ τόπου τῆς σχίζης οὗ ἠκόντιζεν ιωναθαν καὶ ἀνεβόησεν ιωναθαν ὀπίσω τοῦ νεανίου καὶ εἶπεν ἐκεῖ ἡ σχίζα ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ ἐπέκεινα
1 Samuel 20:37
True Christian Religion #211
211. That is why three in the Word means in the spiritual sense complete and perfect, as well as the whole taken together. This meaning of the number three explains why it is used so many times in the Word, whenever anything of this sort is mentioned; for instance, in the following passages. Isaiah was told to go naked and barefoot for three years (Isaiah 20:3). Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel three times ran to Eli, and the third time Eli understood (1 Samuel 3:1-8). Jonathan told David to hide in the country for three days; Jonathan later shot three arrows beside the stone, and David then bowed down three times before Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:5, 12-42). Elijah measured his length three times upon the widow's son (1 Kings 17:21). Elijah ordered them to pour water on the burnt-offering three times (1 Kings 18:34). Jesus said that the kingdom of the heavens is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole should be leavened (Matthew 13:33). Jesus said to Peter that he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34). Jesus said three times to Peter, Do you love me? (John 21:15-17). Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). Jesus said that they would destroy the Temple and He would rebuild it in three days ([John 2:19]; Matthew 26:61). In Gethsemane Jesus prayed three times (Matthew 26:39-44). Jesus rose again on the third day (Matthew 28:1). There are many other passages where the number three is mentioned, in each case where a finished and perfect work is described, because this is the meaning of that number.
1 Samuel 3:1-8
1
The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. The word of Yahweh was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2
It happened at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see),
3
and the lamp of God hadn't yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down [to sleep], in the temple of Yahweh, where the ark of God was;
4
that Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, "Here I am."
5
He ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am; for you called me." He said, "I didn't call; lie down again." He went and lay down.
6
Yahweh called yet again, "Samuel!" Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; for you called me." He answered, "I didn't call, my son; lie down again."
7
Now Samuel didn't yet know Yahweh, neither was the word of Yahweh yet revealed to him.
8
Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; for you called me." Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child.
