1 Samuel 26 1

1 Samuel 26:1 kjv

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 26:1 nkjv

Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?"

1 Samuel 26:1 niv

The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?"

1 Samuel 26:1 esv

Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?"

1 Samuel 26:1 nlt

Now some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah to tell him, "David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which overlooks Jeshimon."

1 Samuel 26 verses

1 Samuel 26 1 Meaning

First Samuel chapter 26, verse 1 describes the renewed betrayal of David by the Ziphites. They voluntarily approached King Saul in Gibeah to inform him of David's precise hiding place. Their rhetorical question, "Is not David hiding himself among us in the strongholds at Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?", served as a direct accusation and an act of reporting David's presence to Saul, aiming to curry favor with the king by aiding him in his relentless pursuit of David.

1 Samuel 26 1 Context

This verse immediately follows the previous chapter where David had miraculously escaped Saul's pursuit (1 Sam 25:35). Saul had seemingly abandoned his chase, but his obsession with David had not truly ended. The events of 1 Samuel 26 are a direct parallel and reprise of 1 Samuel 23:19-24, where the Ziphites had previously betrayed David to Saul, almost leading to David's capture. This repetition underscores Saul's relentless, unceasing pursuit and David's perpetual state of being hunted. David, though already anointed by Samuel as the future king, remains a fugitive, trusting in God's protection amidst continuous threat, not seeking to forcefully seize the throne. This historical period is characterized by internal strife within Judah, demonstrating the loyalty divides among the tribes between the reigning King Saul and the anointed successor David.

1 Samuel 26 1 Word analysis

• Now the Ziphites (ha-zifim):
  • Word Level: Refers to the inhabitants of Ziph, a town in the hill country of Judah, located near Hebron. This identification of their tribal affiliation as Judahites highlights their profound betrayal of a fellow Judahite and the anointed one, David.
  • Significance: This is a repeated act (cf. 1 Sam 23:19). Their motivation is likely self-preservation or currying favor with Saul, demonstrating fear of man rather than faith in God or loyalty to David. It emphasizes the personal danger David faced even from within his own tribe.
• came to Saul (bo'u el Sha'ul):
  • Words-group Level: Indicates a deliberate and voluntary act on their part. They sought Saul out, not the other way around. This underlines their initiative in betraying David.
• at Gibeah (ha-giv'ah):
  • Word Level: Gibeah was Saul's primary residence and capital in Benjamin.
  • Significance: The Ziphites went directly to Saul's stronghold, demonstrating boldness in their accusation and a desire to be seen and rewarded by the king. It underscores Saul's secure location while David is a wanderer.
• saying (le'mor):
  • Word Level: Standard introductory term for speech, signaling the immediate dialogue to follow.
• "Is not David hiding himself among us...":
  • Words-group Level: This is a rhetorical question in Hebrew, equivalent to a strong affirmation: "David IS hiding himself among us!" It's a statement of absolute certainty and accusation.
  • Original Context: The Hebrew hălō' is used to introduce an emphatic assertion, designed to solicit agreement or acknowledge a fact known to both parties.
  • Significance: It implies they have definite, reliable information, providing it as a service to Saul. The use of "among us" ('imanu) indicates David's presence directly within their communal vicinity, highlighting their awareness of his every movement. The word "hiding" (sotêr) underscores David's fugitive status.
• "in the strongholds at Hachilah" (ba-mitzadot ba-hachilah):
  • Words-group Level: "Strongholds" (metzādōt - plural) refers to rocky cliffs, caves, or natural fortified places, common in the Judean wilderness. "Hachilah" (Haḵilah) is a specific hill or ridge on the edge of the wilderness, providing rugged, defensible terrain.
  • Significance: The Ziphites' specificity of location details demonstrates their accurate knowledge of David's precise whereabouts, making their betrayal highly effective and dangerous for David. These strongholds were David's places of refuge but were known to locals.
• "which is on the east of Jeshimon?" ('al-pnê hayeshimon):
  • Words-group Level: 'al-pnê means "facing" or "on the edge/east of." "Jeshimon" (Yešîmôn) literally means "the wasteland" or "the wilderness," referring to the Judean Wilderness.
  • Significance: This further pinpointed David's location with extreme precision, leaving no doubt for Saul as to where to begin his search. It reveals intimate geographical knowledge, implying continued observation of David.

1 Samuel 26 1 Bonus section

The repeated betrayal by the Ziphites (first in 1 Sam 23 and again here) serves as a literary device to emphasize the constant, unceasing nature of the threat David faced, suggesting that even after moments of apparent calm, danger was never far away. David's response to this previous betrayal was to write Psalm 54, expressing his trust in God as his Helper and Upholder, a trust that is once again put to the test in this very chapter. This detail of location (Hachilah, Jeshimon) shows not only the accuracy of the Ziphites' intelligence but also the desperate conditions David was enduring, often reduced to hiding in the most remote and desolate regions of Judah. The willingness of Saul to act on such information, even after his previous "change of heart" or sworn promises (1 Sam 24:16-22), further illustrates the grip of his jealousy and paranoid fear on his spirit.

1 Samuel 26 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 26:1 swiftly reignites the conflict between Saul and David, serving as a powerful demonstration of human malice and divine protection. The Ziphites, in repeating their earlier betrayal, reveal a persistent fear of Saul or a desire for royal favor, overriding any tribal loyalty or respect for the divinely anointed. Their detailed intelligence about David's hideout highlights his precarious existence as a hunted man. This verse underscores the immense pressure David was under, living in constant threat from his king and even his own countrymen. Yet, it also implicitly sets the stage for God's continued deliverance, showing how David’s safety was not due to his own cunning, but to divine providence. It's a snapshot of the tumultuous period before David's reign, showcasing the depth of Saul's obsession and the challenging circumstances that shaped David's reliance on God.