1 Samuel 26:1-5

Saul’s encampment near the hill of Hachilah 26:1-5

The Ziphites betrayed David a second time (cf. 1 Samuel 23:19). David was again hiding by the hill of Hachilah (1 Samuel 23:19). When Saul came down from Gibeah with his 3,000 (or three military units of) soldiers, he camped near the main road. David had only 600 men (1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Samuel 25:13). David evidently stayed on the other side of the hill (1 Samuel 26:3). Perhaps he went up on the hill at night to survey Saul’s encampment and there spotted Saul and Abner in the middle of the camp (1 Samuel 26:5). Saul should have been very secure, surrounded as he was by his men, but really he was very vulnerable (cf. 1 Samuel 26:12).