Lexical Summary Chakilah: Hachilah Original Word: חֲכִילָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hachilah From the same as chakliyl; dark; Chakilah, a hill in Palestine -- Hachilah. see HEBREW chakliyl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition "dark," a hill in S. Judah NASB Translation Hachilah (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲכִילָה proper name, of a location always with article (dark) a hill in southern Judah, on edge of wilderness of Ziph 1 Samuel 23:19; 1 Samuel 26:1,3(GlaserSkizze ii, 326 reads also for חוילה, q. v., in 1 Samuel 15:7); ᵐ5 Εχελα 1 Samuel 26:1 B Χελμαθ, A Αχιλα. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingHachilah is identified as a hill in the Wilderness of Ziph, a sparsely inhabited area southeast of Hebron and east of the town of Ziph. The text twice places it “south of Jeshimon” (1 Samuel 23:19) and once “opposite Jeshimon” (1 Samuel 26:1), marking the hill as a prominent rise along the edge of the Judean desert that overlooks the desolate plateau (Jeshimon means “wasteland”). The terrain is rugged, with steep limestone ridges, caves, and scrub vegetation—an ideal refuge for fugitives and a setting that repeatedly underscores David’s life as a hunted but preserved servant of the LORD. Biblical Narrative Context 1. Saul’s first pursuit (1 Samuel 23:19–24). The Ziphites disclose David’s whereabouts: “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds of Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?”. Their report triggers Saul’s march, yet the LORD uses an urgent Philistine raid to draw Saul away, sparing David. Hachilah here becomes a stage for divine providence, where betrayal is answered by unexpected deliverance. 2. Saul’s final pursuit (1 Samuel 26:1–3). “Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, ‘Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?’”. Saul encamps on the very hill: “Saul camped beside the road on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon” (1 Samuel 26:3). In the night David infiltrates the camp, takes Saul’s spear and water jug, and again refuses to harm the LORD’s anointed. Hachilah therefore becomes a place of tested restraint and covenant faithfulness. Historical Significance • Local loyalty and political intrigue: The Ziphites, likely dependent on Saul’s royal favor, inform on David twice. Their actions reflect the fracturing loyalties in late–monarchy Judah as the LORD transitions kingship from Saul to David. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. God’s sovereignty in hostile environments Hachilah teaches that the LORD’s purposes cannot be thwarted by physical terrain or human hostility. David is preserved on the hill even when surrounded by Saul’s forces, illustrating Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.” 2. Integrity under pressure David’s refusal to kill Saul when opportunity arises (1 Samuel 26:8–11) models righteous restraint. Ministry leaders learn that circumstance alone never justifies violating God’s moral boundaries. 3. Testing of faith and character formation The hill episodes reveal that anointing precedes enthronement. Just as Hachilah’s harsh landscape shapes David’s trust, seasons of difficulty shape servants today for future stewardship. 4. God’s judgment and mercy displayed together Saul’s vulnerability exposes divine judgment; David’s sparing of Saul manifests mercy. The interplay prefigures the Gospel tension resolved at the cross, where judgment and mercy meet. Lessons for Modern Believers • Betrayal by familiar voices (the Ziphites) may arise, yet believers are called to entrust themselves to God rather than retaliate. Prophetic and Messianic Echoes David’s experience on Hachilah foreshadows the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, who would also face betrayal in a secluded place (the Garden of Gethsemane) yet refuse to respond in violence. The hill thus contributes to the biblical pattern in which the righteous sufferer entrusts himself to the Father, anticipating 1 Peter 2:23. Archaeology and Scholarly Insights While the exact location of Hachilah is debated, survey work places it near modern Khirbet el-Kila or along the ridge southeast of Maon. Pottery sherds and watchtower remains attest to Iron Age occupation consistent with a lookout point. The continuing inability to pinpoint the site with certainty underscores the transient nature of earthly strongholds, in contrast to the abiding reliability of the biblical record. Summary Hachilah stands as more than a coordinate on an ancient map; it is a testimony to God’s protective providence, David’s tested integrity, and the unfolding redemptive narrative that culminates in Christ. For churches and believers, the hill’s lessons encourage steadfast faith, righteous restraint, and confidence that every trial—like every hill—is under the sovereign gaze of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations הַֽחֲכִילָ֔ה הַחֲכִילָ֔ה הַחֲכִילָ֗ה החכילה ha·ḥă·ḵî·lāh hachachiLah haḥăḵîlāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 23:19 HEB: בַּחֹ֔רְשָׁה בְּגִבְעַת֙ הַֽחֲכִילָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִימִ֥ין NAS: on the hill of Hachilah, which KJV: in the hill of Hachilah, which [is] on the south INT: Horesh the hill of Hachilah which the south 1 Samuel 26:1 1 Samuel 26:3 3 Occurrences |
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