Saul's journey continues with a second divine sign carefully orchestrated to verify his anointing as king. As he passes through the area and continues his travels [מצודת ציון, אברבנאל], he is destined to reach the Plain of Tabor [רש״י, רד״ק]. There, he will encounter a group of men on a deep spiritual pilgrimage to Bethel. The primary approach among commentators is that their destination is the ancient city of Luz, where the patriarch Jacob once built an altar. During this era, when offering sacrifices on private altars was permitted, the site served as a holy place for prayer, bringing offerings, and seeking prophecy in the merit of Jacob [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Conversely, another perspective identifies their destination as the city of Shiloh, the resting place of the Tabernacle of God [מצודת דוד].
The travelers Saul is meant to meet are carrying specific offerings: young goats, loaves of bread, and a leather skin filled with wine [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. On a practical level, these highly specific items serve as clear identifying markers, designed to prove to Saul that the prophecy he received is completely true [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Beyond their practical purpose, the items hold profound symbolic meaning. One approach views these men and their burdens as a representation of three distinct levels of serving God [מלבי״ם]. The person carrying the young goats symbolizes one who serves God purely out of love, fully dedicating the three parts of their soul to Him. The one carrying the bread represents a person who serves God to secure basic survival needs. Finally, the one carrying the wine symbolizes serving God with the desire for wealth and luxury. Despite their different underlying motives, all of them are directing their hearts toward God as they cross paths with Saul.
Another perspective interprets this encounter as a series of prophetic clues about pivotal moments in Saul's future reign [אלשיך]. The three young goats foreshadow the tragic fate of his three sons, who are destined to fall alongside him in the battles of God. The three loaves of bread serve as a future defense for Ahimelech the priest, who will one day give bread to a fleeing David. This detail is meant to teach Saul that generous people naturally provide food to weary travelers, and such kindness should never be mistaken for treason. Lastly, the wine skin, traditionally made of goat skin, hints at his daughter Michal. She will eventually place a goat skin in David's bed to help him escape. This early sign is intended to signal to Saul that David's survival is directed by God, and any attempt to pursue him will be entirely futile.