Hachilah
“Darksome or drought”
Summary
Hachilah was a wooded hill in the wilderness of Judah near Ziph where David hid from Saul and twice spared the king's life.
☩Location
The hill of Hachilah was located in the wilderness of Ziph in southern Judah, described as being "on the south of" or "before" Jeshimon (the waste). It was a well-wooded eminence where David and his men could find concealment. Modern identification places it at Tell Zif, a round hill about a hundred feet high with a level plot on top, containing cisterns and traces of ancient walls.
☩David's Refuge
The Ziphites twice informed Saul of David's hiding place on this hill. On both occasions, Saul came with his army to capture David. It was here that David famously entered Saul's camp by night and took his spear and water jar, demonstrating his loyalty by sparing the king's life rather than taking vengeance into his own hands.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hachilah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Hachilah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).