MPV Commentary

Saul Comes to the Hill of Hachilah against David.

The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah with information about David's whereabouts (see 1Sa 23:19). They likely thought it impossible for David to escape and wanted to curry favor with Saul by providing him with secret intelligence. This treacherous act makes it surprising that David returned to his former haunt in the Ziphites' neighborhood, but perhaps he did so to be near Abigail's possessions or because he believed Saul had become less hostile.

However, Saul had relapsed into his old enmity towards David. Although Gibeah was situated on a high elevation, and the desert of Ziph may have been even higher, it was still necessary for Saul to descend from Gibeah when leaving. He went down to the wilderness of Ziph.

David sent out spies to gather information about Saul's location. Having obtained this intelligence, David arose and came to the place where Saul had pitched his camp. It appears that he hid himself in a nearby wood or hill on the outskirts of the royal camp, possibly disguised, around nightfall, and waited until darkness allowed him to approach under cover.