'Earlier' in the Bible

(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer;" for he who is now called a prophet was before called a Seer.)

There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

On the third day go down quickly and come to the place where you hid earlier. Remain beside the rock at Ezel.