And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

1 SAMUEL 19:23KJV
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1 Samuel 19:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 19:23 mean?

1 Samuel 19:23 describes how Saul, while traveling to Naioth in Ramah, was overcome by the Spirit of God and began to prophesy all the way to his destination. This unexpected event showed that even Saul, who was pursuing David, could not resist God's power.

In this scene, Saul is trying to capture David, who is hiding with Samuel in Naioth, a place in Ramah. As Saul approaches, the Spirit of God (ר֫וּחַ, ruach) comes upon him, causing him to prophesy—just as earlier messengers sent by Saul had done. The verse highlights how God's presence interrupts Saul's plans and demonstrates God's control over the situation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 19:23

  • ר֫וּחַ (ruach, "Spirit"): This word means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." Here, it refers to the Spirit of God taking hold of Saul, showing that God's influence can override even a king's intentions.
  • נָבָא (nava, "prophesied"): This verb means "to prophesy" or "to speak by divine inspiration." Saul's prophesying is not planned or voluntary; it is a sign that God is acting directly in the situation.
  • נָיוֹת (Naioth): This place name means "dwellings" or "habitations." It is where Samuel and the prophets stayed, and its mention underscores that Saul is entering a place set apart for God's work.

Why 1 Samuel 19:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God's Spirit can act unexpectedly, even on someone like Saul who is acting against God's chosen servant, David.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing that Saul cannot harm David while David is under God's protection, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereignty.
  • It helps explain the unusual behavior Saul displays in the following verses, setting up the dramatic events that follow and highlighting the power of God's presence.

Where else these words appear

“Naioth” Hebrew H5121 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 19:18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
  • 1 Samuel 19:19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
  • 1 Samuel 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

“Ramah” Hebrew H7414 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 18:25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • 2 Kings 8:29 And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.