David remains out of Saul’s grasp through God’s providence and his own cunning.
In 1 Samuel 23:22, the men of Ziph speak to King Saul about David. They entreat him with these words: “Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his foot is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning” (v.22). This directive shows the Ziphites’ eagerness to help Saul capture David. At this point in history, Saul (who reigned from about 1050-1010 BC) had become increasingly fixated on eliminating David, whom the Lord had chosen to be the next king of Israel. Saul’s fear of losing his throne motivates him to heed such advice from the Ziphites, underscoring the tense and dangerous atmosphere surrounding David.
The verse highlights the rugged region of Ziph, a wilderness area located in the hill country of Judah, southeast of the ancient city of Hebron. The hilly terrain and remote valleys offered David consistent hiding places. Yet, the directive to “investigate and see his place” points to the need for thorough reconnaissance in these rugged surroundings. It reveals Saul’s desire to confirm David’s exact location to ensure a decisive victory. In the broader narrative, David’s survival in such challenging environments prefigures his resourcefulness and the divine favor upon him.
David (around 1040-970 BC) was already anointed by the prophet Samuel but had not yet taken the throne. His experiences set the stage for his eventual kingship, marking him as a figure of faith and reliance on God. This verse also foreshadows the lengths to which Saul’s men would go—gathering intelligence, seeking informants, and probing every possible hiding place. David, later recognized as the ancestor of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:1), reflects the greater deliverance that God would provide in Christ.
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1 Samuel 23:22 meaning
In 1 Samuel 23:22, the men of Ziph speak to King Saul about David. They entreat him with these words: “Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his foot is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning” (v.22). This directive shows the Ziphites’ eagerness to help Saul capture David. At this point in history, Saul (who reigned from about 1050-1010 BC) had become increasingly fixated on eliminating David, whom the Lord had chosen to be the next king of Israel. Saul’s fear of losing his throne motivates him to heed such advice from the Ziphites, underscoring the tense and dangerous atmosphere surrounding David.
The verse highlights the rugged region of Ziph, a wilderness area located in the hill country of Judah, southeast of the ancient city of Hebron. The hilly terrain and remote valleys offered David consistent hiding places. Yet, the directive to “investigate and see his place” points to the need for thorough reconnaissance in these rugged surroundings. It reveals Saul’s desire to confirm David’s exact location to ensure a decisive victory. In the broader narrative, David’s survival in such challenging environments prefigures his resourcefulness and the divine favor upon him.
David (around 1040-970 BC) was already anointed by the prophet Samuel but had not yet taken the throne. His experiences set the stage for his eventual kingship, marking him as a figure of faith and reliance on God. This verse also foreshadows the lengths to which Saul’s men would go—gathering intelligence, seeking informants, and probing every possible hiding place. David, later recognized as the ancestor of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:1), reflects the greater deliverance that God would provide in Christ.