Shiloh's Sanctuary of Stone Walls and Curtains Above

"And she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh" (1 Samuel 1:24). Our rabbis taught: before the Tabernacle was erected, the high places were permitted and the service was performed by the firstborn. Once the Tabernacle was erected, the high places were forbidden and the service was performed by the priests. The most holy offerings were eaten within the hangings, and the lesser holy offerings anywhere. When they came to Shiloh the high places were forbidden, and there was no roof there, but rather a house of stones below and curtains above; and that was the "resting place." The most holy offerings were eaten within the hangings, and the lesser holy offerings and the second tithe in any place where it could be seen. When they came to Jerusalem the high places were forbidden and were never again permitted, and that was the "inheritance." From where are these matters derived? Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yohanan: one verse says, "And she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh" - implying it was a house. And another verse says, "And He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had set among men" (Psalms 78:60) - implying it was a tent. How can both be? This teaches that there was no roof there, but rather a house of stones below and curtains above.