This verse shows that Saul’s relentless pursuit of David brings them both face to face in the rugged terrain of Hachilah, setting the stage for David to display again his faithfulness and mercy toward Israel’s king.
In this passage, we read that Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness (v.3). The hill of Hachilah stood in the southern region of ancient Israel, likely near the arid lands of the Judean wilderness, a rugged area where David sought refuge. Saul, who ruled Israel from around 1050 BC to 1010 BC, is depicted at this point leading a campaign against David, who had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel as Israel’s future king. David (1040-970 BC) had fled from Saul’s courts to avoid Saul’s repeated attempts on his life, and took shelter in these remote, difficult terrains.
Here in 1 Samuel 26:3, we see Saul’s persistence: he has not given up his pursuit of David, despite David having refused in earlier instances to harm Saul or seize Saul’s throne. By camping in the hill of Hachilah (v.3), Saul is positioning himself and his troops with the intent of capturing David. It reflects the depth of Saul’s jealousy and fear, especially since David’s popularity only seemed to grow each time Saul failed to capture him. David, however, remains trustful of the LORD, often demonstrating reverence for Saul’s position as God’s anointed king. This respect explains why David did not retaliate even when opportunities arose (1 Sam 26:8-12). As some have noted, Saul’s wilderness campaigns against David happened on more than one occasion (1 Sam 24:1-2, 26:1-3) and demonstrate both Saul’s obsession and David’s patient reliance on God.David, described elsewhere as “a man after God’s own heart,” sees his faith tested as he remains in the desert areas, unsure when or how deliverance will come. Yet he continues to spare Saul because he trusts that the LORD alone has the right to remove a king from power and to place another on the throne. In this verse, the striking detail that David was staying in the wilderness (v.3) highlights how he continues to live humbly and depend on God’s protection and timing, rather than seizing control by force.
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1 Samuel 26:3 meaning
In this passage, we read that Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness (v.3). The hill of Hachilah stood in the southern region of ancient Israel, likely near the arid lands of the Judean wilderness, a rugged area where David sought refuge. Saul, who ruled Israel from around 1050 BC to 1010 BC, is depicted at this point leading a campaign against David, who had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel as Israel’s future king. David (1040-970 BC) had fled from Saul’s courts to avoid Saul’s repeated attempts on his life, and took shelter in these remote, difficult terrains.
Here in 1 Samuel 26:3, we see Saul’s persistence: he has not given up his pursuit of David, despite David having refused in earlier instances to harm Saul or seize Saul’s throne. By camping in the hill of Hachilah (v.3), Saul is positioning himself and his troops with the intent of capturing David. It reflects the depth of Saul’s jealousy and fear, especially since David’s popularity only seemed to grow each time Saul failed to capture him. David, however, remains trustful of the LORD, often demonstrating reverence for Saul’s position as God’s anointed king. This respect explains why David did not retaliate even when opportunities arose (1 Sam 26:8-12). As some have noted, Saul’s wilderness campaigns against David happened on more than one occasion (1 Sam 24:1-2, 26:1-3) and demonstrate both Saul’s obsession and David’s patient reliance on God.David, described elsewhere as “a man after God’s own heart,” sees his faith tested as he remains in the desert areas, unsure when or how deliverance will come. Yet he continues to spare Saul because he trusts that the LORD alone has the right to remove a king from power and to place another on the throne. In this verse, the striking detail that David was staying in the wilderness (v.3) highlights how he continues to live humbly and depend on God’s protection and timing, rather than seizing control by force.