1 Samuel 23:19 kjv
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
1 Samuel 23:19 nkjv
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
1 Samuel 23:19 niv
The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?
1 Samuel 23:19 esv
Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
1 Samuel 23:19 nlt
But now the men of Ziph went to Saul in Gibeah and betrayed David to him. "We know where David is hiding," they said. "He is in the strongholds of Horesh on the hill of Hakilah, which is in the southern part of Jeshimon.
1 Samuel 23 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 23:20 | "Now come down... we will give him into the king's hand." | Ziphites' explicit offer to deliver David, showing malicious intent. |
| Ps 54:3 | "...strangers rise against me; ruthless men seek my life..." | David's lament likely refers to the Ziphites and similar betrayals. |
| 1 Sam 22:20 | "...one son of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar..." | David received loyalty from Abiathar amidst Doeg's treachery, contrasting with Ziphites. |
| Ps 7:1-2 | "O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge... Lest like a lion they tear my soul." | David often sought God's refuge from enemies. |
| Prov 11:3 | "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." | The Ziphites' treachery led to their own exposure later. |
| Matt 26:14-15 | "...Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me...'" | Parallels the theme of betrayal for personal gain, even of God's anointed/Son. |
| John 18:2 | "...Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place..." | Judas's precise knowledge of Jesus's hiding mirrors the Ziphites' detailed information. |
| 1 Sam 18:29 | "...Saul was David's enemy continually." | Highlights Saul's unwavering animosity driving these persecutions. |
| 1 Sam 24:1-2 | "When Saul returned... told, 'Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.'" | Saul's continuous pursuit even after David spared him demonstrates his obsession. |
| Jer 11:18-19 | "The Lord made it known to me and I knew... they said, 'Let us destroy the tree...'" | Jeremiah experienced plots against him, paralleling David's situation. |
| Matt 24:10 | "...many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another." | Prophetic warning about general betrayal, a recurrent theme in human history. |
| Job 19:19 | "All my intimate friends detest me, and those I loved have turned against me." | Experience of betrayal from unexpected sources. |
| Ps 41:9 | "Even my close friend in whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me." | Illustrates the pain of betrayal from those who should be loyal. |
| Is 48:4-5 | "...obstinate... neck was an iron sinew... told you beforehand..." | Relates to human obstinacy and God revealing His plan despite human resistance or malice. |
| Lam 1:19 | "...My priests and my elders perished in the city, while they sought food..." | Description of suffering and lack of relief from betrayal or hardship. |
| Phil 3:18-19 | "...many... are enemies of the cross of Christ... Their end is destruction..." | Contrasts those aligned with God's purpose with those who oppose Him through their actions. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God is for us, who can be against us?" | David's ultimate security stemmed from God's favor, overcoming any human betrayal. |
| Deut 32:35 | "Vengeance is mine, and recompense..." | God's justice ultimately deals with acts of treachery and evil. |
| 2 Sam 15:31 | "O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." | Ahithophel's betrayal of David to Absalom parallels the Ziphites' treachery. |
| Ps 27:1-3 | "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" | David's trust in God despite facing enemies and betrayal. |
| Ps 37:32-33 | "The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death; the Lord will not abandon him..." | God protects the righteous even from malevolent plots. |
1 Samuel 23 verses
1 Samuel 23 19 Meaning
This verse describes the treacherous act of the Ziphites who, of their own volition, traveled to Gibeah to inform King Saul of David's precise hiding place. Their declaration, framed as a rhetorical question, conveyed certainty regarding David's presence in their region, specifically detailing the rugged locations of the strongholds in Horeah, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon. This action marked a severe betrayal of a fellow Israelite, designed to aid Saul's relentless pursuit of David.
1 Samuel 23 19 Context
Chapter 23 of 1 Samuel narrates David's continued flight from Saul's persecution. Earlier in the chapter, David demonstrated leadership by inquiring of the Lord and delivering the town of Keilah from the Philistines. However, fearing betrayal by the people of Keilah to Saul, David again inquired of God and, being warned, left the city. He then sought refuge in the wilderness of Ziph. The Ziphites' unsolicited visit to Saul in Gibeah (Saul's hometown/residence) marks a significant moment of deliberate treachery. Their act not only violated communal trust but also sought to capitalize on Saul's fervent desire to apprehend David, providing extremely specific geographical details to facilitate David's capture. This event underscores the pervasive danger David faced, forcing him to rely solely on God's intervention for survival.
1 Samuel 23 19 Word analysis
- Then the Ziphites: Ha-Zîphîm (הַזִּיפִים). Inhabitants of Ziph, a town in the hill country of Judah, south of Hebron. Their unsolicited appearance and precise knowledge indicate a proactive, deliberate act of betrayal, seeking to curry favor with Saul.
- came up: Vayyaʿalû (וַיַּעֲלוּ). Implying a journey from a lower to a higher elevation, or simply 'went up' to a significant location like the capital or royal residence. This verb emphasizes their active initiative in reporting David.
- to Saul: ʾEl-Šāʾûl (אֶל־שָׁאוּל). Indicates the direct object of their visit; their target was the king, hoping for a reward or favor.
- at Gibeah: Gibʿāh (גִּבְעָה). Saul's city. It signifies Saul's seat of power, where he could receive such information and mobilize forces.
- saying: Lēʾmōr (לֵאמֹר). Standard introductory particle for speech, highlighting that this was their express declaration.
- 'Is not David hiding': Hălōʾ Dāwid mitḥabbēʾ (הֲלוֹא דָּוִד מִתְחַבֵּא). A rhetorical question expecting a "yes" answer. It conveys the Ziphites' certainty and conviction in their report, rather than merely an inquiry. Mitḥabbēʾ (מִתְחַבֵּא), "hiding," denotes David's fugitive status, continuously evading capture.
- among us: ʿImānnû (עִמָּנוּ). Highlights their local proximity to David, emphasizing their unique position to provide such accurate intelligence. This phrase underscores the intimacy of the betrayal—they knew his general vicinity well.
- in strongholds: Bimṣādōṯ (בִּמְצָדוֹת). Refers to natural fortresses or mountain hideouts. The rugged terrain of the wilderness of Judah provided numerous such inaccessible places. This indicates their specific knowledge of David's modus operandi for seeking refuge.
- in Horeah: Baḥoreš (בַּחֹרֶשׁ). Likely "in the forest/wooded area," referring to a specific forested wilderness region within Ziph. This gives a clearer geographic marker than just "Ziph."
- on the hill of Hachilah: Beḡibʿaṯ Haḥaḵîlāh (בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה). A very precise topographical feature, a distinct hill. The addition of specific landmarks demonstrates their meticulous observation of David's movements.
- south of Jeshimon: ʿAl-Yemîn Hayyəšîmōn (עַל־יְמִין הַיְשִׁימוֹן). Jeshimon means "wasteland" or "desert," referring to the barren Judean wilderness bordering the Dead Sea. "South of" (lit. "to the right of" looking eastward) fixes the location very accurately, enabling Saul's forces to pinpoint David. This detail reflects comprehensive surveillance by the Ziphites.
- Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah: This phrase encapsulates the Ziphites' calculated initiative and eagerness to inform on David, not under duress but of their own accord, approaching Saul's seat of power. It signifies a premeditated act of treachery.
- 'Is not David hiding among us in strongholds in Horeah, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon?': This detailed statement functions as a sworn testimony and a navigational guide. It highlights their intimate and precise knowledge of David's whereabouts, not just general area but specific hiding methodology (strongholds) and exact coordinates (Horeah, Hachilah, Jeshimon). The rhetorical question underscores their conviction and certainty in handing over this intelligence, expecting Saul to act on it.
1 Samuel 23 19 Bonus section
The Ziphites are mentioned again in 1 Sam 26:1, where they repeat their offer to Saul, suggesting their continued vigilance and enmity towards David. This repetition highlights their persistent hostility. David's response in Psalm 54 (often attributed to this event) is a powerful prayer for deliverance from his treacherous enemies, demonstrating his spiritual resilience and direct appeal to God in times of crisis rather than succumbing to despair or seeking human vengeance. The minute geographical details provided by the Ziphites are crucial; they are not vague reports but intelligence meant to ensure capture. This precision paradoxically became a test of David's faith, demonstrating God's capacity to deliver even from such specific threats.
1 Samuel 23 19 Commentary
1 Samuel 23:19 vividly portrays the depths of human betrayal. The Ziphites' unprovoked offer to surrender David to Saul reveals a readiness to exploit their insider knowledge for presumed gain, whether it be wealth, political favor, or simple malice against a man on the run. This act contrasts sharply with the gratitude expected after David's previous delivery of Keilah from the Philistines. It underscores David's perilous situation, relying not on human loyalty, which proved fickle, but on divine intervention. Despite such elaborate schemes against him, God's providential care for His anointed servant David would continue to foil these plans, reaffirming that ultimate power and protection reside not with earthly kings or their informers but with the sovereign Lord. This moment emphasizes David's profound faith under duress, where external circumstances continually tested his trust in God's faithfulness amidst relentless persecution.