1 Samuel 19:19

KJV

And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David [is] at Naioth in Ramah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} Saul {H7586}, saying {H559}, Behold, David {H1732} is at Naioth {H5121} in Ramah {H7414}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The news reached Sha'ul that David had been seen at the prophets'dormitory in Ramah.

Berean Standard Bible

When Saul was told that David was at Naioth in Ramah,

American Standard Version

And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 19:19 reports to King Saul the exact whereabouts of David, who has fled Jerusalem to seek refuge with the prophet Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. This seemingly simple intelligence report serves as a pivotal moment, intensifying Saul's relentless pursuit of David and setting the stage for divine intervention that will repeatedly frustrate Saul's murderous intentions, underscoring God's unwavering protection over His anointed servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of [1 Samuel 19:19](/1_samuel/19-19 "1 Samuel 19:19 - David's Location Revealed") is one of escalating tension and Saul's increasingly irrational attempts to kill David. Chapter 19 opens with Saul explicitly commanding Jonathan and his servants to kill David, a stark contrast to his earlier, more subtle attempts. Jonathan's unwavering loyalty to David, coupled with Michal's quick thinking and deception, facilitates David's escape from Jerusalem ([1 Samuel 19:11-17](/1_samuel/19-11 "1 Samuel 19:11-17 - Michal Helps David Escape")). David's flight leads him directly to Samuel in Ramah, specifically to Naioth, a known prophetic center. This verse, therefore, acts as the critical turning point where Saul receives the intelligence necessary to continue his pursuit, leading directly into the miraculous events where God's Spirit intervenes to protect David by overwhelming Saul and his messengers ([1 Samuel 19:20-24](/1_samuel/19-20 "1 Samuel 19:20-24 - Saul Prophesies")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophets like Samuel held immense spiritual and political authority, often serving as God's direct voice to kings and the people. Ramah was Samuel's hometown and a recognized center for prophetic activity. "Naioth" (Hebrew: נָוֹת, _navot_), meaning "dwellings" or "habitations," likely refers to a specific complex of buildings or a community within Ramah where Samuel presided over a company of prophets, possibly a "school of the prophets." Such communities were places of spiritual training, worship, and divine encounter. Seeking refuge with a prophet like Samuel was a traditional recourse for those in distress, particularly when facing royal persecution, as it implied seeking divine protection and counsel. Kings, even powerful ones, were generally hesitant to violate such sacred spaces or directly confront a revered prophet, though Saul's desperation here pushes him to the brink of such an act.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise and Fall of Kings"). Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, as God consistently intervenes to shield David from Saul's murderous intent, even when David seems most vulnerable. The relentless **Persecution of the Anointed** is also prominent, showcasing Saul's deepening paranoia and jealousy, which drives him to defy divine will and pursue the very man God has chosen. Furthermore, the setting at Naioth highlights the theme of **Prophetic Authority and Spiritual Refuge**, emphasizing that true safety and guidance are found not in human power but in seeking God's presence and counsel through His appointed servants. This episode also foreshadows the ultimate failure of Saul's reign due to his persistent rebellion against God's plan for David, the future king ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion as Witchcraft")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Naioth (Hebrew, _Navot'_):** This term (נָוֹת) literally means "dwellings" or "habitations." In this context, it refers to a specific communal living area or complex associated with Samuel and the company of prophets in Ramah. It was likely a center for prophetic training, worship, well, and communal life, serving as a spiritual sanctuary. David's presence here signifies his seeking refuge not just with Samuel personally, but within a community dedicated to God's service and under divine anointing.
* **Ramah (Hebrew, _Ramah'_):** Samuel's hometown and a significant location in his ministry. The name means "height" or "high place," possibly indicating its geographical elevation. As the base of a prominent prophet, Ramah carried a certain spiritual gravitas, making David's refuge there a move towards a place of divine authority and away from the corrupting influence of Saul's court.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told Saul":** This opening clause immediately establishes the critical transfer of information. Saul, consumed by his desire to capture David, relies on intelligence from his network. The passive voice ("it was told") suggests the information was brought to him, perhaps by his servants or spies, indicating the efficiency of his pursuit and the pervasive nature of his paranoia.
* **"saying, Behold, David [is] at Naioth in Ramah":** This direct report provides Saul with the precise location of his quarry. The interjection "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) emphasizes the certainty and immediacy of the news. David's presence at Naioth in Ramah, a place of spiritual authority under Samuel, is not merely a geographical detail but a theological one. It signifies David's reliance on God's prophet and, by extension, God's protection, setting the stage for a confrontation not just between Saul and David, but between Saul's human will and God's divine purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as this seemingly simple report sets the stage for the extraordinary divine intervention that immediately follows in the subsequent verses, where God's Spirit repeatedly overwhelms Saul's messengers and then Saul himself, preventing David's capture. The mention of "Naioth in Ramah" serves as **Symbolism**, representing a sanctuary of divine presence and prophetic authority, a stark contrast to Saul's increasingly unholy and tyrannical court. David's flight to this specific location highlights his **Reliance on God's Providence**, rather than on military strength or political maneuvering. The verse also uses **Irony**, as Saul's desperate pursuit of David into a spiritual stronghold ultimately leads to his own humiliation and a public display of God's power over him, rather than David's capture.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 19:19 underscores the theological principle of divine refuge and protection for those who trust in God. David, the anointed king, is relentlessly pursued by a jealous and disobedient monarch. His choice to seek asylum with Samuel, God's prophet, at Naioth in Ramah, is not merely a strategic move but an act of faith, placing himself under the direct spiritual authority and protection of God. This act highlights that true security is found in God's presence and within His appointed community, rather than in human strength or political maneuvering. It also serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, particularly concerning His chosen ones, even when they face overwhelming opposition. The verse sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention, demonstrating His sovereignty over human kings and their malicious intentions.

* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")
* [Psalm 27:5](/psalms/27-5 "Psalm 27:5 - God Hides Me in His Shelter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The simple report in 1 Samuel 19:19 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even when we are relentlessly pursued by adversity, opposition, or the schemes of others, there is a divine sanctuary available. David's decision to flee to Samuel, a man of God, and to Naioth, a place consecrated to prophetic ministry, illustrates the wisdom of seeking spiritual refuge and counsel in times of distress. It teaches us to lean not on our own understanding or strength, but to actively seek God's presence, wisdom, and the fellowship of a believing community. In our own "Naioths"—whether a church, a small group, or a quiet place of prayer—we can find protection, guidance, and the assurance that God is intimately aware of our circumstances and actively working to preserve us according to His perfect plan. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign protection, knowing that no human power or malice can ultimately thwart His purposes for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do you tend to seek refuge when facing intense pressure or persecution?**
* **How does David's choice to go to Samuel and Naioth inform your understanding of seeking spiritual counsel and community?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's sovereign protection in your own life, even when circumstances seemed overwhelming?**
* **What "Naioths" (places of spiritual sanctuary and community) are available to you, and how intentionally do you utilize them?**

### FAQ
**Why did David go to Samuel in Ramah?**

Answer: David went to Samuel in Ramah primarily to seek refuge and spiritual counsel from a trusted prophet of God. Having narrowly escaped Saul's repeated attempts on his life ([1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul Tries to Spear David Again")), David understood that his safety lay not in human fortresses or political alliances, but in divine protection. Samuel was not only a revered prophet but also the one who had anointed David as king ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David")), making him a natural choice for guidance and sanctuary. Naioth in Ramah, as a prophetic center, offered a spiritual haven where God's presence was actively manifest, as demonstrated by the subsequent events where God's Spirit protected David by overwhelming Saul's messengers and Saul himself ([1 Samuel 19:20-24](/1_samuel/19-20 "1 Samuel 19:20-24 - Saul Prophesies")).

**What was "Naioth in Ramah"?**

Answer: "Naioth" (Hebrew: נָוֹת, _Navot_) literally means "dwellings" or "habitations." In the context of 1 Samuel, it refers to a specific complex of buildings or a communal settlement within Ramah, Samuel's hometown. It was a recognized center where Samuel presided over a "company of prophets" or a "school of the prophets." These were communities where prophets lived, studied, and ministered together, often under the tutelage of a senior prophet like Samuel. It was a place of intense spiritual activity, characterized by worship, prophecy, and the manifest presence of God's Spirit. David's presence there underscored its role as a spiritual sanctuary and a place of divine protection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David seeking refuge at Naioth in Ramah, and God's miraculous protection there, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate divine refuge found in Jesus Christ. David, the anointed king, hunted by a jealous and rejected monarch, prefigures Christ, the true Anointed One, who was persecuted by the religious and political powers of His day ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Persecution of Disciples")). Just as David found safety in a place saturated with God's Spirit and prophetic presence, believers today find ultimate sanctuary and protection in Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's presence and the fulfillment of all prophecy ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son")). The Spirit of God that overwhelmed Saul and his messengers at Naioth points to the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends to indwell and empower His followers, providing them with divine protection and guidance in a hostile world ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, 1 Samuel 19:19, far from being a mere historical detail, serves as a powerful Old Testament echo of the New Testament truth that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe" ([Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")), a truth fully realized in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, our ultimate refuge and deliverer ([Psalm 91:2](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - My Refuge and My Fortress")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 26:1

¶ And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, [which is] before Jeshimon?

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, which [is] on the south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 22:9

Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

1 Samuel 22:10

And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.