King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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;)
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sha'ul heard that David and the men with him had been located. Sha'ul was sitting in Giv'ah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand and all his servants standing around him.
Berean Standard Bible:
Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him.
American Standard Version:
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him: now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk-tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When Saul{H7586} heard{H8085} that David{H1732} was discovered{H3045}, and the men{H582} that were with him,(now Saul{H7586} abode{H3427} in Gibeah{H1390} under a tree{H815} in Ramah{H7414}, having his spear{H2595} in his hand{H3027}, and all his servants{H5650} were standing{H5324} about him;)
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 20:33
- And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
1 Samuel 19:9
- And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with [his] hand.
1 Samuel 18:10
- And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and [there was] a javelin in Saul's hand.
Genesis 21:33
- ¶ And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
Judges 4:5
- And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 22:6
1 Samuel 22:6 is set within the broader narrative of the conflict between King Saul and David, who has been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be Saul's successor. At this point in the story, David has been on the run from Saul, who is consumed by jealousy and fear of David's growing popularity and God's clear favor towards him.
In the verse, the scene is painted with Saul hearing news of David's whereabouts. Saul is described as being in Gibeah, which is his hometown and where his palace was likely located, under a tree in Ramah. This specific mention of the tree could symbolize a place of royal authority or a common gathering place for the community. The fact that Saul is in Ramah, which is very close to Gibeah, suggests that he might be attempting to assert his authority over the area or is possibly engaged in some kind of judicial or official capacity, as kings in those times would sometimes sit under a tree to administer justice.
The detail of Saul having his spear in hand is significant. Spears in ancient times were both symbols of authority and weapons of war. Saul's grip on his spear could indicate his readiness to assert his power or even his intention to harm David, as he has previously attempted to kill David by throwing a spear at him. The presence of all his servants standing around him reinforces the image of Saul as a king surrounded by his court, yet it also underscores his isolation in his pursuit of David, as these servants are more like a military entourage than a council of wise advisors.
The themes present in this verse include the tension between divine promise and human jealousy, the abuse of kingly power, and the pursuit of an innocent man by a guilty and paranoid ruler. It also touches on the theme of divine protection, as despite Saul's efforts, David continues to evade him, hinting at God's providential care for David, who is destined to be the next king of Israel. Historically, this verse reflects the instability and strife that characterized the transition between Saul's dynasty and David's reign, a period marked by political intrigue and God's guiding hand in the unfolding history of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H582
There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
Pronunciation: en-oshe'
Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H1390
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבְעָה
Transliteration: Gibʻâh
Pronunciation: ghib-aw'
Description: the same as גִּבְעָה; Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine; Gibeah, the hill. - Strong's Number: H815
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשֶׁל
Transliteration: ʼêshel
Pronunciation: ay'-shel
Description: from a root of uncertain signification; a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind; grove, tree. - Strong's Number: H7414
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָמָה
Transliteration: Râmâh
Pronunciation: raw-maw'
Description: the same as רָמָה; Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine; Ramah. - Strong's Number: H2595
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲנִית
Transliteration: chănîyth
Pronunciation: khan-eeth'
Description: lemma חֲניִת second vowel, corrected to חֲנִית; from חָנָה; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent); javelin, spear. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H5324
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַב
Transliteration: nâtsab
Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.