1 Samuel 22:6
New International Version
Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side.

New Living Translation
The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers.

English Standard Version
Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

Berean Standard Bible
Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him.

King James Bible
When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

New King James Version
When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered—now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him—

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing in front of him.

NASB 1995
Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

NASB 1977
Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

Amplified Bible
But Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the high place with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place. His spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place. His spear was in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.

American Standard Version
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him: now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk-tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

Contemporary English Version
Saul was sitting under a small tree on top of the hill at Gibeah when he heard that David and his men had been located. Saul was holding his spear, and his officers were standing in front of him.

English Revised Version
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him: now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul heard that David and his men had been found. Saul was staying in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree at the worship site with his spear in his hand and all his officials standing around him.

Good News Translation
One day Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under a tamarisk tree on a hill, with his spear in his hand, and all his officers were standing around him. He was told that David and his men had been located,

International Standard Version
When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been found, he was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand. All his officials were standing around him.

Majority Standard Bible
Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him.

NET Bible
But Saul found out the whereabouts of David and the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree at an elevated location with his spear in hand and all his servants stationed around him.

New Heart English Bible
Saul heard that David had been discovered, and the men who were with him. Now Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

Webster's Bible Translation
When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

World English Bible
Saul heard that David was discovered, with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul hears that David has become known, and the men who [are] with him, and Saul is abiding in Gibeah, under the grove in Ramah, and his spear [is] in his hand, and all his servants [are] standing by him.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul heareth that David hath become known, and the men who are with him, and Saul is abiding in Gibeah, under the grove in Ramah, and his spear is in his hand, and all his servants standing by him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will hear, for David was known, and the men which were with him. And Saul will dwell in the hill under the tamarisk tree, in Ramah, and his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing over him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul heard that David was seen, and the men that were with him. Now whilst Saul abode in Gabaa, and was in the wood, which is by Rama, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul heard that David, and the men who were with him, had been seen. Now while Saul was staying in Gibeah, and while he was in the forest that is in Ramah, holding a spear in his hand, with all his servants standing around him,

New American Bible
Now Saul heard that David and his men had been located. At the time he was sitting in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree on the high place, holding his spear, while all his servants stood by him.

New Revised Standard Version
Saul heard that David and those who were with him had been located. Saul was sitting at Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Saul heard that David was located, and the men who were with him (now Saul was staying in Gibeah under the almond tree in Ramtha, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him);

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul heard that David was discovered and the men who were with him, and Shaul was staying in Gaba under an almond tree that was in Ramtha, and his scepter spear was in his hand, and all his Servants stood over by him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him; now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk-tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul heard that David was discovered, and his men with him: now Saul dwelt in the hill below the field that is in Rama, and his spear was in his hand, and all his servants stood near him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
6Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him. 7Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?…

Cross References
1 Samuel 18:8-9
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

1 Samuel 20:30-33
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” / “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” ...

1 Samuel 23:7-8
When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” / Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 24:9-10
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? / Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

1 Samuel 26:1-2
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” / So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.

1 Samuel 28:5
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently.

1 Samuel 31:2-4
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. / Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:17
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.

2 Samuel 15:12-13
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. / Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

2 Samuel 18:6-8
So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. / The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

1 Kings 11:40
Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, where he remained until the death of Solomon.

Psalm 52:1-3
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. / Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.


Treasury of Scripture

When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul stayed in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

tree.

1 Samuel 18:10
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

1 Samuel 19:9
And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

1 Samuel 20:33
And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Jump to Previous
Abiding Abode David Discovered Hand Heard Heareth Height High Hill News Officials Places Ramah Saul Seated Servants Sitting Spear Standing Tamarisk Tamarisk-Tree Tree
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Abiding Abode David Discovered Hand Heard Heareth Height High Hill News Officials Places Ramah Saul Seated Servants Sitting Spear Standing Tamarisk Tamarisk-Tree Tree
1 Samuel 22
1. Companies resort unto David at Adullam
3. At Mizpeh he commends his parents unto the king of Moab
5. Admonished by Gad, he comes to Hareth,
6. Saul going to pursue him, complains of his servants' unfaithfulness
9. Doeg accuses Ahimelech
11. Saul commands to kill the priests
17. The footmen refusing, Doeg executes it
20. Abiathar escaping, brings David the news














Soon Saul learned
The phrase indicates the immediacy and urgency with which Saul receives information about David's whereabouts. The Hebrew root for "learned" (שָׁמַע, shama) often implies hearing or understanding, suggesting that Saul is constantly vigilant and perhaps paranoid about David's movements. This reflects Saul's deteriorating mental state and his obsession with David, who he perceives as a threat to his throne.

David and his men
David, the anointed future king, is on the run with his loyal followers. This group of men, often referred to as David's mighty men, are a testament to David's leadership and God's favor upon him. Historically, these men were outcasts and distressed individuals who found purpose and identity under David's leadership, symbolizing how God can use the marginalized for His divine purposes.

had been discovered
The discovery of David's location signifies the constant danger he faces. The Hebrew word used here can also mean "uncovered" or "revealed," indicating that despite David's efforts to remain hidden, his presence is made known, perhaps through betrayal or divine providence. This highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and protection over David, even when human plans fail.

At that time, Saul was in Gibeah
Gibeah, Saul's hometown, serves as his royal base. Archaeological findings suggest it was a fortified city, reflecting Saul's established power and authority. However, his physical presence in Gibeah contrasts with his spiritual decline, as he is far from God's favor, which has shifted to David.

sitting under the tamarisk tree
The tamarisk tree, known for its shade and longevity, symbolizes Saul's attempt to maintain control and stability. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting under a tree often indicated a place of judgment or decision-making. Saul's position here suggests a semblance of authority, yet it is overshadowed by his internal turmoil and the impending loss of his kingdom.

on the hill at Ramah
Ramah, a significant location in Israel's history, is associated with the prophet Samuel. Saul's presence here is ironic, as Samuel had previously anointed David as king. The hill represents a place of elevation and perspective, yet Saul's spiritual blindness prevents him from seeing God's unfolding plan.

spear in hand
The spear is a symbol of Saul's kingship and military power. However, it also represents his aggression and paranoia, as he frequently uses it in attempts to harm David. This imagery underscores Saul's reliance on human strength and violence, contrasting with David's reliance on God's protection.

with all his servants standing around him
Saul's servants represent his remaining support system, yet their presence is more about obligation than loyalty. This scene highlights the isolation of Saul, who, despite being surrounded by people, is spiritually and emotionally alone. It serves as a cautionary tale of how power without God's guidance leads to loneliness and despair.

(6) When Saul heard.--No note of time is here given. Probably the return of David with a disciplined force to the land, and the pitching of an armed camp in the "forest of Hareth," excited anew Saul's jealous fears.

Now Saul abode in Gibeah.--In Gibeah of Saul, his own royal city. The LXX. wrongly render, instead of Gibeah, "on the hills." The margin of the English Version, "under a grove in a high place," is correct as regards the later words, baramah signifying here upon the height. "Under a tree" is, however, nearer the original than "under a grove." The literal rendering would be "under a tamarisk tree." The sentence then should run, "Now Saul abode in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height." The tamarisk, which grows so abundantly on the sea-shore of England and in warmer climates, develops into a very graceful tree, with long feathery branches and tufts. Saul's love for trees has been noticed before. This solemn council of his, when the darkest deed of his reign was decided upon, was held in the spot Saul loved so well, under the spreading tamarisk branches. There we see him, leaning, as was his wont in peace as in war, upon his tall spear, surrounded by his valiant captains, chosen apparently, with one exception, from his own tribe of Benjamin--the exception being his wicked counsellor, the Edomite Doeg, who was over the royal herds. This is one of the earliest councils we have any definite account of in the world's history. The king, surrounded by his chosen "fideles," complaining of the treason of one of them lately exiled from their midst, bewailing the want of fidelity of his son, the heir to the throne--then the stepping forward of one of these "fideles," one invested with high office, and publicly denouncing the chief religious official of the kingdom--forms a striking and vivid picture.

Verse 6. - When Saul heard that David was discovered. Hebrew, "was known." The meaning is easy enough, though rendered obscure by the involved translation of the A.V., and is as follows: When Saul heard that there was information concerning David and his men, he held a solemn council, in which we see how simple was the dignity of his court, but how great the ferocity to which he was now a prey. There is no parenthesis, but the account of Saul taking his seat, surrounded by his officers, follows directly upon the narration of the fact that news of David had reached him, and should be translated thus: "And Saul takes his seat in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height, holding his javelin (as a sceptre) in his hand, and all his officers stand in order by him." For Saul's fondness for trees see ch. 14:2; but at a time when there were no large buildings a branching tree formed a fit place for a numerous meeting. A tree. Really a tamarisk tree, which "sometimes reaches such a size as to afford dense shade .... It is a very graceful tree, with long feathery branches and tufts, closely clad with the minutest of leaves, and surmounted in spring with spikes of beautiful pink blossom" (Tristram, 'Nat. Hist. of Bible,' p. 357). It grows abundantly on the seashore of England, but requires a warmer climate to develope into a tree. In Spain beautiful specimens may be seen, as for instance at Pampeluna. In Ramah. Conder (Handbook) thinks that Gibeah was the name of a district, which included Ramah; others take the word in its original signification, and render "on the height." Standing. The word means that they took each their proper posts around him (See on 1 Samuel 10:23; 12:7, 16; 17:16). Saul was holding a formal court, to decide what steps should be taken now that David had openly revolted from him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Soon Saul
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

learned
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and his men
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had been discovered.
נוֹדַ֣ע (nō·w·ḏa‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

At that time, Saul
וְשָׁאוּל֩ (wə·šā·’ūl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

was in Gibeah,
בַּגִּבְעָ֜ה (bag·giḇ·‘āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine

sitting
יוֹשֵׁ֨ב (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

under
תַּֽחַת־ (ta·ḥaṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the tamarisk tree
הָאֶ֤שֶׁל (hā·’e·šel)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 815: A tamarisk tree, a grove of any kind

on the hill at Gibeah,
בָּֽרָמָה֙ (bā·rā·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7413: Height, high place

with his spear
וַחֲנִית֣וֹ (wa·ḥă·nî·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2595: A lance

in his hand
בְיָד֔וֹ (ḇə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his servants
עֲבָדָ֖יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

standing
נִצָּבִ֥ים (niṣ·ṣā·ḇîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

around him.
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 1 Samuel 22:6 Saul heard that David was discovered (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 22:5
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