The tamarisk tree would have produced sufficient shade for a small council to take place. Likely this location was chosen because it offered some privacy from the ears and concerns of palace servants. It seems as if only the leading men and close confidants of Saul were present at the meeting. The mention of Saul’s spear is ominous, since in all previous occasions it had been used in an attempt to kill (see 1 Samuel 18:10–11; 1 Samuel 19:9–10; 1 Samuel 20:1–42).1
6 Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.