In the Days of Samuel
Shiloh & Nabi Samuel Tour
Tour Overview |
Discover the life and legacy of Samuel the Prophet on this private Old Testament tour through the biblical heartland of ancient Israel. Journey through the places most closely connected with Samuel, the last Judge of Israel, the prophet who anointed the nation's first kings, and one of the Bible's most influential spiritual leaders. Throughout the day, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Israel's transition from the period of the Judges to the establishment of the monarchy, following the remarkable story of Samuel from his childhood at the Tabernacle to the anointing of Kings Saul and David. Combining biblical history, archaeology, sacred landscapes, and breathtaking panoramic views, this tour reveals how Samuel's ministry helped shape the future of Israel and laid the foundations for Jerusalem's rise as the royal capital under King David. Whether you're passionate about biblical history, archaeology, or the lives of Israel's prophets, this private tour offers a fascinating journey through the landscapes where the pages of the Old Testament come to life, culminating with a panoramic view over the City of David—the city whose destiny was forever changed through Samuel's calling and God's plan for Israel. |
In the Days of Samuel Tour Itinerary |
Our journey begins with a drive north from Jerusalem along the ancient Patriarchs' Road, passing through the biblical heartland of ancient Israel. Along the way, we'll pass the region traditionally associated with biblical Gibeah, the hometown and capital of King Saul, Israel's first king, before continuing past Bethel, one of the most significant sites of the Old Testament, where many pivotal events in Israel's history took place. Our first major stop is Ancient Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood for centuries after the Israelites entered the Promised Land under Joshua. As we explore the archaeological remains, we'll discover how Shiloh became the spiritual center of Israel and revisit the stories of Hannah, whose faithful prayer led to the birth of Samuel, Eli the High Priest, and the young Samuel, who first heard God's voice while serving in the sanctuary. We'll also discuss the Ark of the Covenant and Shiloh's central role during the period of the Judges. From Shiloh, we return toward Jerusalem to visit Nabi Samuel, traditionally identified with biblical Ramah, the hometown of the prophet Samuel. According to biblical tradition, this was where Samuel lived, judged Israel, built an altar to the Lord, and was ultimately buried. As we explore the site, we'll discover its rich history through the remains of Byzantine, Crusader, and Islamic structures while enjoying spectacular panoramic views over Jerusalem and the surrounding Judean Hills. On our return toward Jerusalem, we'll stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Tell en-Nasbeh, widely identified by many archaeologists as biblical Mizpah. Here we'll discuss Samuel's leadership of Israel, the national assembly at Mizpah, and the public selection of Saul as Israel's first king, while exploring the archaeological and historical debates surrounding the site's identification. Our final stop is the City of David Observation Point, offering a spectacular panorama over the ancient City of David, the Kidron Valley, the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem's historic skyline. From this remarkable vantage point, we'll reflect on the life and legacy of Samuel the Prophet, whose anointing of David marked the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history. Looking out over the city that David established as his capital, we'll conclude our journey through the biblical landscapes that witnessed Israel's transition from the period of the Judges to the united monarchy. |
Key Sites |
✔️ Gibeah (Drive By) ✔️ Bethel (Drive By) ✔️ Ancient Shiloh ✔️ Tabernacle Site ✔️ Nabi Samuel ✔️ Biblical Ramah ✔️ Traditional Tomb of Samuel ✔️Tell en-Nasbeh Viewpoint (Biblical Mizpah) ✔️ City of David Observation Point |
Why Choose This “In the Days of Samuel” Tour? |
Discover the extraordinary life of Samuel the Prophet, one of the most influential figures of the Old Testament, as you journey through the places that shaped his ministry and the history of ancient Israel. From the Tabernacle at Shiloh to his traditional hometown and burial place at Nabi Samuel, this tour follows the story of the man who guided Israel through one of the most significant transitions in its history. Combining biblical history, archaeology, and breathtaking landscapes, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the period of the Judges, the rise of Israel's first kings, and Samuel's central role in anointing both Saul and David. Along the way, you'll visit remarkable archaeological sites while enjoying spectacular panoramic views over the biblical hills of Benjamin, Ephraim, and Jerusalem. Led by a licensed local guide, you'll enjoy a private and personalized experience with plenty of time to ask questions, explore at your own pace, and deepen your understanding of the Old Testament through the landscapes where its stories unfolded. |
Why Travelers Love This Tour? |
✔️ Follow the footsteps of Samuel the Prophet, from his childhood at Shiloh to his traditional hometown and burial place at Nabi Samuel. ✔️ Visit Ancient Shiloh, where the Tabernacle stood for centuries and where Hannah, Eli, and the young Samuel played pivotal roles in the story of biblical Israel. ✔️ Explore the traditional site of Samuel's Tomb while discovering centuries of Byzantine, Crusader, and Islamic history. ✔️ Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from Nabi Samuel and the City of David, overlooking Jerusalem, the Judean Hills, and the biblical landscapes of ancient Israel. ✔️ Gain a deeper understanding of Israel's transition from the period of the Judges to the rise of the monarchy through engaging biblical storytelling and archaeology. ✔️ Experience a private tour at your own pace, with personalized explanations from a licensed local guide and plenty of opportunities for questions, photography, and exploration. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
How long does the “In the Days of Samuel” Tour last? The tour typically lasts 7–8 hours, allowing enough time to comfortably explore each site, enjoy detailed biblical and historical explanations, take photographs, and admire the spectacular landscapes before returning to Jerusalem. Is this a private tour? Yes. This is a private tour, allowing you to explore the biblical sites at your own pace while enjoying a personalized experience tailored to your interests, schedule, and level of biblical knowledge. How much walking is involved? This tour involves a moderate amount of walking on archaeological paths, uneven stone surfaces, and gentle slopes. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. We also suggest bringing a bottle of water, especially during the warmer months. What should I wear? Comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes are recommended. During the warmer months, we also advise wearing a hat, sunscreen, and bringing plenty of water. As Nabi Samuel is a site of religious significance for both Jews and Muslims, modest clothing is recommended out of respect when visiting the shrine. Do I need to bring my passport? Yes. We recommend carrying your passport throughout the tour. Since the itinerary includes Ancient Shiloh in the West Bank, security checks may occasionally take place, and carrying valid identification is advisable for all participants. Is it safe to visit the West Bank? The sites visited on this tour are regularly visited by tourists as part of organized tours. Your itinerary is carefully planned based on current conditions, and your licensed local guide monitors the situation closely. If security conditions change and could affect the tour, the itinerary will be adjusted or the tour will be rescheduled with your safety as the highest priority. In which languages is the tour available? This tour is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and Indonesian, and is led by a licensed local tour guide. How can I book From Shiloh to Jerusalem Tour?
You can book your "From Shiloh To Jerusalem Tour" directly through the contact form on this website, by WhatsApp, or by email. You can also click the "Request a Quote" button. I'll be happy to answer your questions and help you plan your visit to the Holy Land. |
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Stella Chao
I’m from Taiwan. We are lucky to have Tareq as our tour guide. He is not only professional but also funny, kind, and humorous. You can ask him anything and he will give you a subjunctive answer. He lives and raise in Jerusalem, so he definitely have the authority to show you around the holy land. Plus he probably knows bible, Torah and Quran from back to back.
Maritess Diagmel Lapuz
Me and my family highly recommend Holy land steps. We have such an amazing experience! Each day of our 1 week tour is full pack of action, no wasted time. Tariq is an excellent and outstanding tourguide, very knowledgeable and we learned a lot from him. Very kind,considerate and took his group's welfare very seriously.
Msgr Larry White
I want to personally thank you for your excellent job as our guide. You are the best that I have had in all my trips to the Holy Land. I will keep you and your family in my prayers especially during this time of Advent and Christmas. I would certainly recommend you as a guide on any future pilgrimages.
