David in the Wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:19-24; Psalm 54:1-7)
2026-01-24
Since David left Adullam, many things happened. Doeg betrayed Ahimelech the priest. All the priests of Nob were destroyed by the Edomite, save Abiathar, who fled to David. The fugitive and his band delivered Keilah from the Philistines after enquiring of the LORD twice. They did not remain in Keilah, learning that the townsmen would deliver them over to Saul.
From Keilah, David and his men went to the wilderness Ziph to a certain mountain: “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand” (1 Samuel 23:14). There Jonathan son of Saul met David there and encouraged him:
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. (16) And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. (17) And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. (18) And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. (1 Samuel 23:15-18)
Jonathan recognized the LORD’s anointing on David and knew that the son of Jesse would supersede his father as king. If the LORD said that David would be king, then it would come to pass. This is why Jonathan could say boldly, “Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel.” Here is where we pick up the story in 1 Samuel 23:19-24. We discuss the Ziphites revealing David’s hiding place. We also consider the corresponding Psalm 54:1-7.
The Ziphites Go to Saul
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? (20) Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand. (1 Samuel 23:19-20)
Ziph is a place in the land of Judah (Joshua 15:24, 55). This place where David stayed is characterized like this: “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand” (1 Samuel 23:14). It was wilderness with strongholds. Like Adullam, this was a naturally fortified place with natural places to hide. There also was a mountain according to this verse, and it was wooded: “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 23:15). The mountain may have been the same as this hill called Hachilah, but I am not for certain. This must have been a place of rough terrain with plenty of places to hide. It was south of Jeshimon, as was the area called Maon, the home of Nabal.
Now consider the men of Ziph. They left their homes in the land of Judah and traveled northward to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. I looked at a map, and assuming what I saw was correct, this was not a quick trip over a county line. This was a substantial distance for these men to travel. In other words, they went way out of their way to ensure Saul knew of David’s whereabouts.
Consider their motivation; what was it? Perhaps the hundreds of men with David were taking a lot of space. They invaded the Ziphites’ territory and perhaps they disliked this. However, David’s men likely kept a low profile and were not taking over the prime real estate in the area. They were hiding and likely did not bother many people.
The Ziphites may have been looking to win favor of the king. They were a remote group of people and likely did not get much attention. Their territory is not mentioned much in the Scriptures. Perhaps these people went through this to flatter and get favor and rewards from the king.
Plenty of unsavory people looked to get favor of the king by false humility, deception and malice. What are some? “Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine” (1 Samuel 22:9-10). And again, “And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar” (2 Samuel 13:32). And again, concerning the Amalekite that lied about killing Saul, “He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord” (2 Samuel 1:9-10).
These Ziphites would have known of the promise of David becoming king but would have rejected it. We know that even the Philistines of Gath knew of David’s upcoming kingship: “And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” (1 Samuel 21:11). The news went far and wide. These men not only rejected the counsel of the LORD; they went very far out of their way to do so.
Furthermore, they also were willing to coordinate with King Saul with the apprehending of David. “Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.”
Ye Have Compassion on Me
And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. (1 Samuel 23:21)
Repeatedly throughout the king’s pursuing David, Saul thought himself the victim. Elsewhere, we read:
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; (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? (1 Samuel 22:7-8)
Saul counted anyone who did not disclose any slight favor toward David as a conspirator. The king even accused his own son of stirring up rebellion in David. There is a time when we can be convinced that we are being victimized, but we really are the cause of our problems. This was the case with King Saul. When we get to the Ziphites here, we see that anyone who is eager to inform the king of David’s whereabouts, they are praised. “Blessed be ye of the LORD.” There is a dangerous tendency to think that whoever is on my side is “of the LORD” and everything else is from Satan. Consider Joshua the son of Nun:
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? (14) And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? (15) And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15)
Joshua had this perspective, and I don’t think he was in a sinful state of mind at that moment. There is a subtle way we can think that we are always on the right side of the LORD, when we really need to see if we are right with the LORD. We should not ask if someone is for “us” versus “them.” We should really ask, who is on the LORD side, and am I on the LORD’s side? How about another example:
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. (23) But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matthew 16:22-23)
Joshua immediately changed his perspective. On the other hand, nothing could change Saul’s perspective. He made himself to be like a god, and whoever was for him, he thought, was of the LORD; otherwise, that person was from the enemy. Whatever alleviated his struggle was good; otherwise, it was evil.
“...ye have compassion on me.” Did these Ziphites really have compassion for the king? The real person who had compassion on Saul was David, who spared his life twice. He showed how he was no threat to Saul. In fact, before David fled from Saul, he was a blessing and an asset to Saul and all Israel. Can it be that sometimes the things that seem to be against us are really for our benefit?
Come Ye Again to Me with the Certainty
Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. (23) See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. (24) And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. (1 Samuel 23:22-24)
While appreciating their information, Saul wanted more precise information as to all the places where David could hide so his army could corner him in. Once there were certain locales known, then Saul could go forth and capture.
The Ziphites seemed to happily oblige; they went back to their land, but David moved on to Maon, an area in the same vicinity of Ziph (also south of Jeshimon).
The Ziphites Go to Saul a Second Time
Later, we know that Saul pursued David in the area without waiting for an answer from the Ziphites, but they were called off because of a Philistine invasion. Saul then returned to pursue David in the strongholds of Engedi. There David spares Saul’s life in the cave. From there, David went to the wilderness of Paran, and there was the whole confrontation with Nabal and Abigail.
In the meantime, the Ziphites never stopped seeking David, for after this, we read:
And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? (2) Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. (1 Samuel 26:1-2)
The Ziphites again went to Gibeah of Benjamin, and they told Saul the same location as they did before. This time, Saul went down to get David, and David spared the king for the second time in that area.
These were the historical events; David also wrote about this in Psalm 54:1-7. Let us consider the words there.
Save me, O God
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. (2) Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. (3) For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. (Psalm 54:1-3)
First, we define the curious terms found in the title. “Neginoth” is also translated “song,” “music” and “stringed instruments.” The intention is likely to direct the chief musician to use stringed instruments with this song.
“Maschil” is used to describe this song; it is a song used to instruct people. Music by nature is used to instruct: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Music is not just for beauty and enjoyment; music is a part of teaching. When we set things to music, the words will plant in our minds like seeds and dwell and flourish there. This is why it is important to listen to the right music that says the right things.
As we begin the psalm proper, we read, “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.” Given the parallelism, saving and judging are related in this context, as are name and strength.
How can God save David by His name? Can syllables of a name do anything for anyone? First, the names of God are not without impact; they reflect His nature. The name “God” signifies God’s strength; Jehovah implies His strength, His covenantal love, and His eternal power. This is part of the answer; the LORD can save by His eternal, infinite power.
However, a “name” is more than just what one is called. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Once again, parallelism helps us out; a good name is like loving favor. A good name is a good reputation.
A name is also authority: “The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever” (1 Chronicles 23:13). Aaron and his sons “bless in his name.” They bless on behalf of or by the authority of the LORD.
All these aspects of God’s name can save David: His eternal power, His authority and His reputation of being holy and just.
“...judge me by thy strength.” How would God “judge” David? Would this mean condemn? David did not do anything to deserve his status as a fugitive in those days. He wanted to be vindicated because he was being pursued as an evildoer. This is not to say that David was not a sinner; we all are sinners. This is just to say that David did not deserve the treatment he received from Saul. Again, God’s strength can save in that regard.
“Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.” The son of Jesse petitions the LORD to hear Him; the implication is that David knows He is being heard. Why else ask if He was not hearing? He shall offer his petition in the following lines.
These strangers and oppressors seek David’s soul, that is, his life. They want him dead without a cause. The word “stranger” usually means foreigner. The Ziphites, as far as I can tell, are not Canaanites or people from outside Israel; they are from Judah. But if “they have not set God before them,” then they are most certainly strangers and foreigners in a spiritual sense.
God Is Mine Helper
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. (5) He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. (Psalm 54:4-5)
Psalm 54:4 is David’s confession of trust. Because David sought the LORD, God is the one to save him. Not only this, but those that supported him in his tribulation are also supported by God. Those who supported David must have believed in the LORD’s promise to make Him king.
David’s confession of trust continues in the first half of Psalm 54:5. Those that oppose David shall meet their destruction. The second half of the verse continues a petition: “cut them off in thy truth.” Because God was faithful to deliver him in the past, David asked the Lord to do the same with these Ziphites who caused him much intentional harm.
How does God “cut them off in thy truth”? “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27). God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). John 17:17 says, “thy word is truth.” The Ziphites and Saul and others who denied the rightful place of David as king were opposing the plan of God. God brings to the light His truth, and those who oppose truth will not succeed. Consider these who suppress the truth and how Timothy was to instruct them:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
People naturally suppress truth: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). The Lord Jesus told the apostle Paul, “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). Paul internally fought against the truth that Jesus was the Christ so he could be faithful to the Jews’ religion.
There is an inner witness that convicts us of the truth of God, but everything in the flesh reacts in rebellion. Even as saved people, we can fight against the truth. One can only go so far in rejecting truth until the LORD rejects him. King Saul is such a case. The witch at Endor was Saul’s last rejection of truth. David’s prayer was for these men of Ziph to be answered by God for rejecting truth.
There is a place for imprecatory prayer, but it is a last resort. If someone is causing that much harm, you pray for them to turn to Christ and His truth or for them to be cut off. We pray for enemies, but there comes a time when we pray, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10).
In the end, the Lord will destroy His enemies by His truth, His Word: “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:21).
I Will Praise Thy Name, O LORD
I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. (7) For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies. (Psalm 54:6-7)
Moving into the “vow of praise” portion of the psalm, we see that David will offer sacrifices and praise the name of the LORD. There ought to be public praise when God carries us through trials. The testimony glorifies God and brings others to faith in Him.
We see that David will “praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.” Remember that a name is more than syllables and phonology; it is authority, power, and reputation. The LORD is good in all these things.
Why do we see David using the past tense when speaking of his deliverance and the destruction of his enemies? He knew because of God’s promise to make him king, God would accomplish David’s preservation. When God says something will happen, it will happen: “And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:3-4). And again, “So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years” (2 Samuel 5:3-4). And the best yet, “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16).
Conclusions
The Ziphites were cruel to David and his men. We only know what is written, but we know that these Ziphites were willing to travel to a distant land to turn David in... twice. David prayed and trusted God for deliverance, and eventually saw it realized.
The Lord Jesus likewise waited patiently and still waits patiently for the Father to put all enemies under His feet. We must wait for the LORD to perform His perfect will. If the Lord says He will return, then we cling to that promise until the day it is realized.