1 Samuel 23:19

KJV

¶ 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then came up {H5927} the Ziphites {H2130} to Saul {H7586} to Gibeah {H1390}, saying {H559}, Doth not David {H1732} hide {H5641} himself with us in strong holds {H4679} in the wood {H2793}, in the hill {H1389} of Hachilah {H2444}, which is on the south {H3225} of Jeshimon {H3452}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Zif came to Sha'ul in Giv'ah and said, "David is hiding himself with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on Hakhilah Hill, south of Yeshimon

Berean Standard Bible

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?

American Standard Version

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 23:19 records a pivotal moment in David's life as a fugitive, detailing the treacherous act of the Ziphites, who proactively informed King Saul of David's precise hiding place in the wilderness of Judah. This betrayal underscores the relentless persecution David faced from Saul and highlights the precariousness of his existence, even among his own countrymen, as he continually sought refuge from the king's obsessive pursuit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's escape from the fortified city of Keilah, where he had just delivered its inhabitants from the Philistines. Despite his righteous actions and God's clear favor, David learns through divine revelation that the people of Keilah would betray him to Saul. His subsequent flight into the wilderness of Ziph sets the stage for the Ziphites' unsolicited act of informing Saul. This incident demonstrates Saul's continued, relentless pursuit of David and highlights David's constant reliance on God for guidance and protection, as seen in his repeated inquiries of the Lord (e.g., [1 Samuel 23:2](/1_samuel/23-2 "1 Samuel 23:2 - David Inquires of the Lord")). The Ziphites' betrayal here is a direct precursor to David's narrow escape in the wilderness of Maon, detailed later in [1 Samuel 23:24-29](/1_samuel/23-24 "1 Samuel 23:24-29 - David's Narrow Escape"), and is remarkably repeated by the Ziphites in [1 Samuel 26:1](/1_samuel/26-1 "1 Samuel 26:1 - The Ziphites' Second Betrayal")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the tumultuous period of Saul's reign, characterized by his increasing paranoia and spiritual decline. Gibeah, mentioned as Saul's destination, was his capital, signifying the Ziphites' deliberate act of seeking out the king. Ziph, Hachilah, and Jeshimon were located in the wilderness of Judah, a rugged, desolate, and sparsely populated region known for its caves, wadis, and hills, making it an ideal, albeit harsh, refuge for fugitives. In ancient Israelite society, betraying a fellow Israelite, especially one who was God's anointed (even if currently a fugitive), was a severe breach of communal trust and covenant loyalty. The Ziphites' actions were likely motivated by a desire to gain favor with King Saul or to avoid his wrath, illustrating the corrupting influence of power and fear within the kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the [book of 1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel - Saul and David"). Primarily, it vividly illustrates the theme of **betrayal and human treachery**, revealing how self-interest and fear can override communal solidarity and loyalty, even to God's anointed future king. Secondly, it underscores **David's relentless persecution and suffering**, portraying him as a vulnerable fugitive constantly on the run, dependent solely on divine protection amidst overwhelming odds, a motif that resonates throughout his time in exile. Lastly, it further highlights **Saul's consuming obsession and spiritual decline**, as his jealousy of David has devolved into a relentless, irrational hunt, diverting his resources and focus from leading Israel against its enemies and confirming his unsuitability for kingship, a theme established earlier in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ziphites (Hebrew, _Ziphîm_):** The inhabitants of Ziph, a town situated in the hill country of Judah, southeast of Hebron. Their name becomes synonymous with betrayal in the narrative of David's life. Their act described here is not merely an incidental report but a deliberate, proactive effort to curry favor with King Saul by delivering David into his hands, highlighting a deep moral and spiritual failure within this segment of the Israelite community.
* **Hachilah (Hebrew, _Ḥăkîlâ_):** A specific hill located in the wilderness of Ziph, south of Jeshimon. The precise geographical naming indicates the Ziphites' intimate knowledge of David's movements and hiding places. It implies David sought refuge in a well-known, perhaps previously used, strategic location, making the Ziphites' information particularly valuable and dangerous for Saul's pursuit.
* **Jeshimon (Hebrew, _Yĕšîmôn_):** Meaning "desolation" or "wilderness," this term refers to the barren, arid region east of the Judean hill country, bordering the Dead Sea. Its inclusion emphasizes the harsh, inhospitable environment where David sought refuge, underscoring his extreme vulnerability and the desperate nature of his flight. The Ziphites' knowledge of David's location "on the south of Jeshimon" pinpoints his position with chilling accuracy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah":** This opening clause immediately establishes the treacherous initiative. The Ziphites, not Saul's scouts, are the aggressors in this encounter, willingly seeking out the king to betray David. Their journey "to Gibeah," Saul's capital, signifies a deliberate, formal act of informing, rather than a casual encounter, underscoring their intent to gain favor.
* **"saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood":** This rhetorical question functions as an eager disclosure, confirming David's presence within their territorial sphere and implying a shared knowledge or even a sense of territorial ownership over David's hiding place. The phrase "strong holds in the wood" suggests a network of natural fortresses or concealed positions, indicating David's reliance on the rugged terrain for protection.
* **"in the hill of Hachilah, which [is] on the south of Jeshimon?":** This final part of the Ziphites' report provides Saul with highly specific and actionable intelligence. Naming "the hill of Hachilah" and pinpointing its location "on the south of Jeshimon" demonstrates their intimate familiarity with David's movements and the wilderness terrain. This precision dramatically increases the threat to David, as it allows Saul's forces to narrow their search significantly.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Geographical Precision** by naming specific locations like Ziph, Gibeah, Hachilah, and Jeshimon. This grounds the narrative in a tangible reality, enhancing its verisimilitude and highlighting the Ziphites' accurate intelligence. The Ziphites' rhetorical question, "Doth not David hide himself with us...?", functions as a form of **Eager Disclosure**, emphasizing their willingness and readiness to betray David. Furthermore, the scene presents a stark **Contrast** between David, the innocent fugitive and God's anointed, and the Ziphites, fellow Israelites who choose self-interest and betrayal. This act of betrayal also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing trials and opposition David will face throughout his life, even from within his own people, and setting the stage for subsequent narrow escapes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This incident powerfully illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and human depravity, even among God's covenant people. The Ziphites' betrayal of David, God's anointed, reveals how self-interest, fear, or a desire for royal favor can lead to actions that directly oppose God's will and harm His servants. Yet, even in this moment of extreme vulnerability, the narrative implicitly points to God's sovereign protection over David. Despite the precision of the Ziphites' information and Saul's relentless pursuit, David repeatedly escapes, demonstrating that divine providence ultimately overrules human treachery. This highlights a recurring biblical theme: while evil may conspire, God's purposes for His chosen ones will ultimately prevail.

* [Psalm 54:1-7](/psalms/54-1 "Psalm 54:1-7 - David's Prayer for Deliverance from the Ziphites")
* [Psalm 118:8-9](/psalms/118-8 "Psalm 118:8-9 - Trust in the Lord, Not Man")
* [Proverbs 11:3](/proverbs/11-3 "Proverbs 11:3 - Integrity Guides the Upright")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Ziphites' betrayal of David in 1 Samuel 23:19 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that opposition and treachery can arise from unexpected sources, even from within our own communities or those who seemingly share our faith. In such moments, like David, we are called not to despair but to deepen our reliance on God. David's subsequent actions in this chapter, seeking God's guidance and finding refuge in Him, provide a powerful model for navigating adversity. This passage encourages us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that not all who appear to be allies are trustworthy, and to remember that our ultimate security rests not in human loyalty or strategic hiding places, but in the unfailing faithfulness of God, who knows our every step and protects His own. It also serves as a cautionary tale against the corrosive effects of envy and fear, which led Saul to obsessive persecution and the Ziphites to opportunistic betrayal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when you experience betrayal, especially from those you expected loyalty from?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to betray principles or people for personal gain or out of fear?**
* **How does David's constant reliance on God in the face of relentless persecution challenge your own approach to adversity?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Ziphites, and why did they betray David?**

Answer: The Ziphites were inhabitants of Ziph, a town located in the hill country of Judah. Their motivation for betraying David is not explicitly stated in the text, but it is generally understood to be a desire to curry favor with King Saul, who was relentlessly pursuing David. They likely hoped for reward or protection from the powerful king by delivering his rival. This act highlights a lack of loyalty to God's anointed and a pragmatic, self-serving approach to the political tensions of the time. They are mentioned again betraying David in [1 Samuel 26:1](/1_samuel/26-1 "1 Samuel 26:1 - The Ziphites' Second Betrayal"), reinforcing their pattern of disloyalty.

**Where were Hachilah and Jeshimon, and why are these details important?**

Answer: Hachilah was a specific hill in the wilderness of Ziph, and Jeshimon refers to the desolate wilderness region east of the Judean hill country, bordering the Dead Sea. These geographical details are crucial because they demonstrate the Ziphites' intimate and precise knowledge of David's hiding places. By providing such specific locations, they gave Saul highly actionable intelligence, significantly increasing the danger to David. It underscores the extreme vulnerability of David, who was hiding in remote, harsh terrain, and the chilling accuracy of the Ziphites' betrayal, making his subsequent escape (as described in [1 Samuel 23:24-29](/1_samuel/23-24 "1 Samuel 23:24-29 - David's Narrow Escape")) all the more miraculous.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's betrayal by the Ziphites in 1 Samuel 23:19 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the life of Jesus, the ultimate Son of David. Just as David, God's anointed king, was unjustly hunted and betrayed by his own countrymen, so too was Jesus, the true King of Israel, persecuted and ultimately handed over by those He came to save. The Ziphites' act of informing on David foreshadows the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, who, for a price, delivered Jesus into the hands of His enemies ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas's Betrayal")). Like David, who sought refuge in the wilderness and relied on God's protection amidst relentless pursuit, Jesus also experienced rejection and homelessness, often retreating to desolate places or mountains to pray, relying solely on His Father's will ([Luke 9:58](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). The suffering and betrayal of David, though painful, ultimately served God's sovereign plan to establish him as king. Similarly, the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, while the epitome of human treachery, were not a defeat but the very means by which God accomplished His ultimate redemptive purpose, establishing Jesus as King over all creation and providing salvation for humanity ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, David's experience of being hunted and betrayed by the Ziphites points forward to the greater suffering and ultimate triumph of the Lamb of God, who was "led like a lamb to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")) but rose victorious, demonstrating God's power to turn even the deepest betrayal into the greatest good.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 26:1

¶ 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 26:3

And 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.

Psalms 54:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

Psalms 54:7

For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen [his desire] upon mine enemies.

1 Samuel 22:7

Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

1 Samuel 22:8

That all of you have conspired against me, and [there is] none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and [there is] none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.