The Ziphites were inhabitants of the ancient city of Ziph, located in the hill country of Judah. The city of Ziph is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the life of David, who would later become king of Israel. The Ziphites are most notably recognized for their interactions with David during his fugitive years when he was fleeing from King Saul.

Biblical References:

1. Location and Significance:
Ziph was a city in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. It is mentioned in the context of the cities fortified by Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 11:8. The strategic location of Ziph in the Judean wilderness made it a significant site during the time of David.

2. Interaction with David:
The Ziphites are primarily known for their role in the pursuit of David by King Saul. In 1 Samuel 23:19-20 , the Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and informed him of David's hiding place: "Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is David not hiding among us in the strongholds of Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon? Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.'"

This act of betrayal by the Ziphites is significant as it highlights the challenges David faced from his own countrymen while he was on the run. Despite their actions, David was able to evade capture, as God continued to protect him.

3. Further Betrayal:
The Ziphites again sought to betray David to Saul, as recorded in 1 Samuel 26:1 : "Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, 'Is David not hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?'" This second instance of betrayal underscores the persistent threat David faced and the Ziphites' willingness to align themselves with Saul against David.

4. David's Response:
Despite the Ziphites' actions, David's response was marked by reliance on God rather than vengeance. In Psalm 54, which is attributed to David, he calls upon God for deliverance from his enemies, specifically mentioning the Ziphites in the title: "For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went to Saul and said, 'Is David not hiding among us?'"

Historical and Theological Context:

The actions of the Ziphites are illustrative of the broader theme of loyalty and betrayal found throughout the biblical narrative. Their willingness to betray David to Saul reflects the complex political and social dynamics of the time. From a theological perspective, the Ziphites' actions serve as a backdrop to highlight David's faith and reliance on God for protection and justice. David's experiences in Ziph and his subsequent psalms demonstrate his trust in God's sovereignty and his commitment to righteousness, even in the face of betrayal.

The Ziphites, therefore, play a crucial role in the narrative of David's life, serving as instruments through which God's providence and David's character are revealed. Their interactions with David provide insight into the trials he faced and the divine deliverance he experienced, which ultimately prepared him for his future role as king of Israel.ZIPHITES

zif'-its.

See ZIPH.

2130. Ziphi -- inhab. of Ziph
... inhab. of Ziph. Transliteration: Ziphi Phonetic Spelling: (zee-fee') Short Definition:
Ziphites. ... of Ziph NASB Word Usage Ziphites (2). Ziphim, Ziphite. ...
/hebrew/2130.htm - 6k

Psalm LIV.
... The title thereof standeth thus: "At the end, in hymns, understanding to David himself,
when there came the Ziphites, and said to Saul, Behold, is not David ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm liv.htm

Love and Remorse
... He had but a small choice of safe retreats, and the Ziphites had motive for a second
betrayal in the fact of the first, and of its failure to secure David's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

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

part viii.
... And as he honoured Doeg the accuser before the true priests, and persecuted David,
giving ear to the Ziphites; so this man prefers heretics to the godly, and ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part viii.htm

The Power of Sorrow.
... Saul could still rejoice in regal splendour, go about complaining of himself to
the Ziphites, as if he was the most ill-treated and friendless of mankind; he ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/viii the power of sorrow.htm

Philippians ii. 4-Jan
... "Audacity" (1 Samuel 25:10.) in the case of Nabal, and "flattery" (1 Samuel 23:20.)
in that of the Ziphites? For in their purpose they betrayed David. ...
/.../homily v philippians ii 4-jan.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... 9. After this came certain of the Ziphites, and told Saul that David was come again
into their country, and if he would afford them his assistance, they could ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... The Ziphites were men of Judah like himself; and there is bitter emphasis as well
as a gleam of insight into the spiritual character of the true Israel in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... world, [1052]474. Zechariah the prophet, [1053]546, [1054]547, [1055]676.
Zion. See Sion. Ziphites, [1056]206, [1057]207, [1058]208. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

Ziphites (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZIPHITES. zif'-its. See ZIPH. Multi-Version
Concordance Ziphites (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 23 ...
/z/ziphites.htm - 8k

Hachilah (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/h/hachilah.htm - 9k

Jeshimon (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:19 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 ...
/j/jeshimon.htm - 11k

Jeshi'mon (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:19 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 ...
/j/jeshi'mon.htm - 7k

Maschil (26 Occurrences)
... Psalm 54 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David; when
the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? (ASV). ...
/m/maschil.htm - 15k

Hakilah (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 ...
/h/hakilah.htm - 7k

Hiding (53 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:19 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 ...
/h/hiding.htm - 21k

Hachi'lah (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:19 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 ...
/h/hachi'lah.htm - 7k

Stringed (34 Occurrences)
... Psalm 54 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. Maschil of David; when
the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? (ASV). ...
/s/stringed.htm - 18k

Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:19 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 ...
/g/gib'e-ah.htm - 19k

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