1 Samuel 23:19
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?
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּ
Then came up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֤וּ
Then came up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַגִּבְעָ֖תָה
to Gibeah
H1390
הַגִּבְעָ֖תָה
to Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
5 of 17
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
הֲל֣וֹא
H3808
הֲל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עִמָּ֤נוּ
H5973
עִמָּ֤נוּ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בַמְּצָדוֹת֙
himself with us in strong holds
H4679
בַמְּצָדוֹת֙
himself with us in strong holds
Strong's:
H4679
Word #:
11 of 17
a fastness (as a covert of ambush)
בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה
in the wood
H2793
בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה
in the wood
Strong's:
H2793
Word #:
12 of 17
a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
1 Samuel 26:1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?1 Samuel 26:3And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
Historical Context
The Ziphites lived in the wilderness of Ziph, the same region where David hid. Their betrayal may have stemmed from fear of Saul's reprisals or hope for royal favor. Jeshimon ('wasteland') described the barren region toward the Dead Sea.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when those closest to you betray your trust?
- What does the Ziphites' betrayal teach about finding security in God rather than tribal or community loyalty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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?
The Ziphites' betrayal contrasts sharply with Jonathan's loyalty. These men of Judah—David's own tribe—informed against him to Saul. Their detailed report reveals knowledge of David's precise locations: strongholds, the wood, the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon. The Hebrew interrogative 'halo' (is it not/does he not) suggests they expected reward for confirmed information. Unlike Keilah's potential betrayal, the Ziphites actively sought Saul out. Judahite betraying Judahite demonstrates that tribal loyalty provided no guaranteed protection. David's enemies existed not only in Saul's court but among his own people.