Hachilah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:
Hachilah is a geographical location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the narrative of David's life. It is known as a hill or region in the wilderness of Judah, associated with significant events during David's flight from King Saul. The area is characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic importance, providing refuge and a vantage point for those familiar with its landscape.

Biblical References:
Hachilah is primarily referenced in the context of David's evasion of King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. The key passages mentioning Hachilah are found in 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 26.

1. 1 Samuel 23:19 · "Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is David not hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon?'"
· In this passage, the Ziphites inform Saul of David's whereabouts, indicating that David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah. This act of betrayal highlights the constant danger David faced and the precariousness of his situation.

2. 1 Samuel 26:1 · "Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, 'Is David not hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?'"
· Once again, the Ziphites report David's location to Saul, emphasizing the repeated attempts by Saul to capture David. The hill of Hachilah serves as a recurring setting for these pursuits.

3. 1 Samuel 26:3 · "Saul camped beside the road on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there,"
· This verse describes Saul's encampment on the hill of Hachilah as he continues his pursuit of David. The strategic positioning of Saul's camp underscores the tactical considerations in the ongoing conflict between Saul and David.

Historical and Geographical Context:
Hachilah is situated in the wilderness of Judah, a region known for its desolate and rugged landscape. The wilderness provided natural fortifications and hiding places, making it an ideal refuge for David and his men. The hill of Hachilah, in particular, offered a strategic vantage point, allowing David to monitor Saul's movements and plan his own actions accordingly.

Theological Significance:
The events at Hachilah highlight themes of divine providence and protection. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit, David is repeatedly spared from capture, illustrating God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises to David. The narrative also underscores David's reliance on God for guidance and deliverance, as seen in his decisions and actions during these critical moments.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:
The account of David at Hachilah offers several moral and ethical lessons. David's restraint in not harming Saul, despite having the opportunity, demonstrates his respect for God's anointed king and his trust in God's timing for his own ascension to the throne. This episode serves as a powerful example of humility, patience, and faithfulness in the face of adversity.

Conclusion:
The hill of Hachilah, as depicted in the biblical narrative, serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama between David and Saul. It is a testament to the challenges David faced and the divine intervention that preserved him for his future role as king of Israel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hachilah

my hope is in her

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The darksome hill, one of the peaks of the long ridge of el-Kolah, running out of the Ziph plateau, "on the south of Jeshimon" (i.e., of the "waste"), the district to which one looks down from the plateau of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:19). After his reconciliation with Saul at Engedi (24:1-8), David returned to Hachilah, where he had fixed his quarters. The Ziphites treacherously informed Saul of this, and he immediately (26:1-4) renewed his pursuit of David, and "pitched in the hill of Hachilah." David and his nephew Abishai stole at night into the midst of Saul's camp, when they were all asleep, and noiselessly removed the royal spear and the cruse from the side of the king, and then, crossing the intervening valley to the height on the other side, David cried to the people, and thus awoke the sleepers. He then addressed Saul, who recognized his voice, and expostulated with him. Saul professed to be penitent; but David could not put confidence in him, and he now sought refuge at Ziklag. David and Saul never afterwards met. (1 Samuel 26:13-25).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HACHILAH, HILL OF

ha-ki'-la, hak'-i-la, (chakhilah): A hill in the wilderness of Judah, associated with the wanderings of David. It is stated (1 Samuel 23:19) to be "on the South of the desert" (or Jeshimon), and (1 Samuel 26:1) to be "before (on the front (i.e. edge) of) the desert." It was near Ziph and Maon. The only plausible hypothesis is that it is represented by the ridge Dhahret el-Kolah in the wilderness of Ziph, toward the desert of En-gedi (PEF, III, 313, Sh XXI).

Strong's Hebrew
2444. Chakilah -- "dark," a hill in S. Judah
... 2443, 2444. Chakilah. 2445 . "dark," a hill in S. Judah. Transliteration: Chakilah
Phonetic Spelling: (khak-ee-law') Short Definition: Hachilah. ... Hachilah. ...
/hebrew/2444.htm - 6k
Library

A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding in the hill
country of Hachilah?" So Saul went down to the Wilderness of Ziph with three ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... So he came to them with three thousand armed men; and upon the approach of night,
he pitched his camp at a certain place called Hachilah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

David's Anger
... Twice he has Saul in his power: once in the cave at Engedi, once at the camp at
Hachilah, and both times he refuses nobly to use his opportunity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

The History of Saul
... And the people called Zyphites told to Saul that David was hid in the hill of Hachilah
which was on the after part of the wilderness, and Saul took with him ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Thesaurus
Hachilah (3 Occurrences)
... After his reconciliation with Saul at Engedi (24:1-8), David returned to
Hachilah, where he had fixed his quarters. ...HACHILAH, HILL OF. ...
/h/hachilah.htm - 9k

Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)
... The Hill of Hachilah was on the edge of this desert (1 Samuel 23:19; 1 Samuel
26:1, 3), and the Arabah was to its south (1 Samuel 23:24). ...
/j/jeshimon.htm - 11k

Hachi'lah (3 Occurrences)
Hachi'lah. Hachilah, Hachi'lah. Hachmoni . ... 1 Samuel 26:3 And Saul pitched
in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. ...
/h/hachi'lah.htm - 7k

Jeshi'mon (4 Occurrences)
... 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying: 'Doth not David hide himself
with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is ...
/j/jeshi'mon.htm - 7k

Hakilah (3 Occurrences)
... 19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself
with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is ...
/h/hakilah.htm - 7k

Ziphites (4 Occurrences)
... 19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself
with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is ...
/z/ziphites.htm - 8k

Gibeath (2 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem. See also TABOR. (5) Gibeath ha-Hachilah (1 Samuel 23:19; 1 Samuel
26:1) is identical with HACHILAH (which see). (6) Gibeath ...
/g/gibeath.htm - 10k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Samuel 26:1 And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not
David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, facing the waste? (DBY). ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
... 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying: 'Doth not David hide himself
with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is ...
/g/gib'e-ah.htm - 19k

Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... 19 And the Ziphites go up unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, 'Is not David hiding himself
with us in fortresses, in the forest, in the height of Hachilah, which 'is ...
/h/hiding.htm - 21k

Resources
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Concordance
Hachilah (3 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 23:19
Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Samuel 26:1
The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Samuel 26:3
Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Subtopics

Hachilah

Hachilah: A Hill in Judah where David and his Followers Hid from Saul

Related Terms

Hachmoni (2 Occurrences)

Hachilah (3 Occurrences)

Hachaliah: Father of Nehemiah
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