1 Samuel Chapter 22 · Verse 6
When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְשָׁאוּל֩
When Saul
H7586
וְשָׁאוּל֩
When Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
2 of 20
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נוֹדַ֣ע
was discovered
H3045
נוֹדַ֣ע
was discovered
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וַֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
and the men
H582
וַֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
and the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֑וֹ
H854
אִתּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְשָׁאוּל֩
When Saul
H7586
וְשָׁאוּל֩
When Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
9 of 20
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
יוֹשֵׁ֨ב
abode
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֨ב
abode
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּגִּבְעָ֜ה
in Gibeah
H1390
בַּגִּבְעָ֜ה
in Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
11 of 20
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
12 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הָאֶ֤שֶׁל
under a tree
H815
הָאֶ֤שֶׁל
under a tree
Strong's:
H815
Word #:
13 of 20
a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind
וַֽחֲנִית֣וֹ
having his spear
H2595
וַֽחֲנִית֣וֹ
having his spear
Strong's:
H2595
Word #:
15 of 20
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
בְיָד֔וֹ
in his hand
H3027
בְיָד֔וֹ
in his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Gibeah of Saul (Tell el-Ful) was Saul's hometown and royal residence. Holding court 'under a tree' was common for ancient Near Eastern rulers, providing shade and symbolic connection to sacred groves. The tamarisk tree was particularly associated with covenant and judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Saul's posture and setting reveal about his spiritual and mental state?
- How does clinging to power and control contrast with resting in God's sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
This verse presents Saul's paranoid court in vivid detail. The Hebrew 'noda' (was discovered/known) suggests intelligence reports reached the king. Saul's posture—sitting under a tree with spear in hand, servants standing around him—portrays a ruler consumed by suspicion and military obsession. The spear, previously thrown at both David and Jonathan, symbolizes Saul's violent paranoia. Gibeah, his hometown, had become a fortress of fear rather than a seat of justice. The parenthetical description interrupts the narrative to paint this haunting portrait of a king deteriorated into tyranny, contrasting sharply with the outlaw David who trusted God.