King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 22:6 Mean?

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;) tree: or, grove in a high place

1 Samuel 22:6 · KJV


Context

4

And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

5

And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

6

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;) tree: or, grove in a high place

7

Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

8

That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? sheweth: Heb. uncovereth mine ear


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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;)

This verse presents Saul's paranoid court in vivid detail. The Hebrew 'noda' (was discovered/known) suggests intelligence reports reached the king. Saul's posture—sitting under a tree with spear in hand, servants standing around him—portrays a ruler consumed by suspicion and military obsession. The spear, previously thrown at both David and Jonathan, symbolizes Saul's violent paranoia. Gibeah, his hometown, had become a fortress of fear rather than a seat of justice. The parenthetical description interrupts the narrative to paint this haunting portrait of a king deteriorated into tyranny, contrasting sharply with the outlaw David who trusted God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Gibeah of Saul (Tell el-Ful) was Saul's hometown and royal residence. Holding court 'under a tree' was common for ancient Near Eastern rulers, providing shade and symbolic connection to sacred groves. The tamarisk tree was particularly associated with covenant and judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Saul's posture and setting reveal about his spiritual and mental state?
  2. How does clinging to power and control contrast with resting in God's sovereignty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע1 of 20

heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְשָׁאוּל֩2 of 20

When Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

כִּ֚י3 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נוֹדַ֣ע4 of 20

was discovered

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

דָּוִ֔ד5 of 20

that David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים6 of 20

and the men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֑וֹ8 of 20
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְשָׁאוּל֩9 of 20

When Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

יוֹשֵׁ֨ב10 of 20

abode

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַּגִּבְעָ֜ה11 of 20

in Gibeah

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

תַּֽחַת12 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הָאֶ֤שֶׁל13 of 20

under a tree

H815

a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind

בָּֽרָמָה֙14 of 20

in Ramah

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

וַֽחֲנִית֣וֹ15 of 20

having his spear

H2595

a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)

בְיָד֔וֹ16 of 20

in his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְכָל17 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדָ֖יו18 of 20

and all his servants

H5650

a servant

נִצָּבִ֥ים19 of 20

were standing

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עָלָֽיו׃20 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 22:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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