I Samuel 26
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Ziphites came - This is the second time that these enemies of David endeavored to throw him into the hands of Saul. See Sa1 23:19.
Open source ↗SAUL COMES TO THE HILL OF HACHILAH AGAINST DAVID. (Sa1 26:1-4) the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah--This people seem to have thought it impossible for David to escape, and therefore recommended themselves to Saul, by giving him secret information (see on Sa1 23:19). The knowledge of their treachery makes it appear strange that David should return to his former haunt in their neighborhood; but, perhaps he did it to be near Abigail's possessions, and under the impression that Saul had become mollified. But the king had relapsed into his old enmity. Though Gibeah, as its name imports, stood on an elevated position, and the desert of Ziph, which was in the hilly region of Judea, may have been higher than Gibeah, it was still necessary to descend in leaving the latter place; thence Saul (Sa1 26:2) "went down to the wilderness of Ziph."
Open source ↗And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah,.... Of Benjamin, called sometimes Gibeah of Saul, because it was the place of his birth and residence; hither Saul had returned after his last interview with David; whether, notwithstanding what had passed between him and David, he had privately encouraged the Ziphites to watch David, and give him information of him where he was, and when it was a proper opportunity to seize him; or whether the Ziphites were so officious as of themselves to acquaint him with it, is not certain; the latter is probable, since having attempted to betray David, they might fear, that should he come to the throne, he would remember it, and therefore they might be desirous of having him cut off by the hand of Saul: saying, doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? the same place where he was when the Ziphites before gave information of him, Sa1 23:10; here he might choose to be, supposing that the Ziphites now would not meditate anything against him, since Saul had declared he would be king after him, and had made him swear that he would not cut off his posterity; and as he thought it his wisdom to provide against the worst, knowing the inconstancy of Saul, he might judge this the most proper place of safety, and from whence he could, on occasion, easily retreat into the wilderness; and it may be also, because it was near to Abigail's estate and possessions, which were now a good resource for him.
Open source ↗The repetition not only of the treachery of the Ziphites, but also of the sparing of Saul by David, furnishes no proof in itself that the account contained in this chapter is only another legend of the occurrences already related in 1 Samuel 23:19-24:22. As the pursuit of David by Saul lasted for several years, in so small a district as the desert of Judah, there is nothing strange in the repetition of the same scenes. And the assertion made by Thenius, that "Saul would have been a moral monster, which he evidently was not, if he had pursued David with quiet deliberation, and through the medium of the same persons, and had sought his life again, after his own life had been so magnanimously spared by him," not only betrays a superficial acquaintance with the human heart, but is also founded upon the mere assertion, for which there is no proof, that Saul was evidently no so; and it is proved to be worthless by the fact, that after the first occasion on which his life was so magnanimously spared by David, he did not leave off seeking him up and down in the land, and that David was obliged to seek refuge with the Philistines in consequence, as may be seen from Sa1 27:1-12, which Thenius himself assigns to the same source as 1 Samuel 24. The agreement between the two accounts reduces it entirely to outward and unessential things. It consists chiefly in the fact that the Ziphites came twice to Saul at Gibeah, and informed him that David was stopping in their neighbourhood, in the hill Hachilah, and also that Saul went out twice in pursuit of David with 3000 men. But the three thousand were the standing body of men that Saul had raised from the very beginning of his reign out of the whole number of those who were capable of bearing arms, for the purpose of carrying on his smal…
Open source ↗Here, 1. Saul gets information of David's movements and acts offensively. The Ziphites came to him and told him where David now was, in the same place where he was when they formerly betrayed him, Sa1 23:19. Perhaps (though it is not mentioned) Saul had given them intimation, under-hand, that he continued his design against David, and would be glad of their assistance. If not, they were very officious to Saul, aware of what would please him, and very malicious against David, to whom they despaired of ever reconciling themselves, and therefore they stirred up Saul (who needed no such spur) against him, Sa1 26:1. For aught we know, Saul would have continued in the same good mind that he was in (Sa1 24:17), and would not have given David this fresh trouble, if the Ziphites had not put him on. See what need we have to pray to God that, since we have so much of the tinner of corruption in our own hearts, the sparks of temptation may be kept far from us, lest, if they come together, we be set on fire of hell. Saul readily caught at the information, and went down with an army of 3000 men to the place where David hid himself, Sa1 26:2. How soon do unsanctified hearts lose the good impressions which their convictions have made upon them and return with the dog to their vomit! 2. David gets information of Saul's movements and acts defensively. He did not march out to meet and fight him; he sought only his own safety, not Saul's ruin; therefore he abode in the wilderness (Sa1 26:3), putting thereby a great force upon himself, and curbing the bravery of his own spirit by a silent retirement, showing more true valour than he could have done by an irregular resistance. (1.) He had spies who informed him of Saul's descent, that he had come in very deed (Sa1 26:4.); for he would not be…
Open source ↗26:1-25 This was the last time Saul and David were together. The Ziphites told Saul for the second time where David was hiding (see 23:19-20), and David spared Saul’s life a second time as he did in the cave at En-gedi (see ch 24). 26:1 Men from Ziph had previously volunteered to capture David and hand him over to Saul (23:19-20). • Hakilah . . . Jeshimon is the same geographical location they had mentioned to Saul before (23:19). David had not moved far, probably because the hilly terrain was dotted with numerous caves, providing many good hiding places.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
זִיפִי (Zîyphîy, H2130) — a Ziphite or inhabitant of Ziph בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock חֲכִילָה (Chăkîylâh, H2444) — Chakilah, a hill in Palestine פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְשִׁימוֹן (yᵉshîymôwn, H3452) — a desolation
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… זִיף (Zîyph, H2128) — Ziph, the name of a place in Palestine; also of an Israelite שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock חֲכִילָה (Chăkîylâh, H2444) — Chakilah, a hill in Palestine פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְשִׁימוֹן (yᵉshîymôwn, H3452) — a desolation דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) רָגַל (râgal, H7270) — to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אַבְנֵר (ʼAbnêr, H74) — Abner, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵר (Nêr, H5369) — Ner, an Israelite שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) יָשֵׁן (yâshên, H3463) — sleepy מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular) חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) מָעַךְ (mâʻak, H4600) — to press, i.e. to pierce, emasculate, handle אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉraʼăshâh, H4763) — properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow) אַבְנֵר (ʼAbnêr, H74) — Abner, an Israelite
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שָׁנָה (shânâh, H8138) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the… נָקָה (nâqâh, H5352) — to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense)…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נָגַף (nâgaph, H5062) — to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) סָפָה (çâphâh, H5595) — properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e. to…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָלִילָה (châlîylâh, H2486) — literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it! שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉraʼăshâh, H4763) — properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow) צַפַּחַת (tsappachath, H6835) — a saucer (as flat) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) צַפַּחַת (tsappachath, H6835) — a saucer (as flat) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites רַאֲשֹׁת (raʼăshôth, H7226) — a pillow (being for the head) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… קוּץ (qûwts, H6974) — to awake (literally or figuratively) יָשֵׁן (yâshên, H3463) — sleepy תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardêmâh, H8639) — a lethargy or (by implication) trance יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אַבְנֵר (ʼAbnêr, H74) — Abner, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵר (Nêr, H5369) — Ner, an Israelite אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?
Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, but David was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there,
Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,