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?

1 SAMUEL 23:19KJV
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1 Samuel 23:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 23:19 mean?

1 Samuel 23:19 describes people from Ziph going to King Saul with information about David’s hiding place. Their report offers Saul a chance to find David, whom he was pursuing.

The Ziphites phrase their report as a question: “Doth not David hide himself with us?” The words “with us” place David in their area. Their description points to a particular hill and the rough country around it.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 23:19

  • “holds” — מְצוּדוֹת (metsudot): The word can mean strongholds or protected places. Here it suggests places where the terrain gave David shelter and protection.
  • “wood” — חֹרֶשׁ (choresh): This word can refer to woodland or a wooded area. In the surrounding passage, “the wood” also appears as a place associated with David’s hiding (1 Samuel 23:15–18).
  • “Jeshimon” — יְשִׁימוֹן (yeshimon): The word can mean a wasteland or desert. The KJV presents Jeshimon as a place name here, helping locate the hill of Hachilah.

Why 1 Samuel 23:19 matters

  • The Ziphites take the initiative in bringing the report. The verse says they “came up” to Saul at Gibeah, rather than describing Saul finding David himself.
  • Their detailed directions make the report useful for a search. Saul’s response in verses 22–23 asks them to check David’s movements and identify his hiding places more precisely.

Where else these words appear

“Ziphites” Hebrew H2130 · used in 3 verses

  • 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?
  • 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.

“Hachilah” Hebrew H2444 · used in 3 verses

  • 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.

“wood” Hebrew H2793 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
  • 1 Samuel 23:18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
  • Isaiah 17:9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

“holds” Hebrew H4679 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 6:2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
  • Isaiah 33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.