1 Samuel 19 19

1 Samuel 19:19 kjv

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

1 Samuel 19:19 nkjv

Now it was told Saul, saying, "Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!"

1 Samuel 19:19 niv

Word came to Saul: "David is in Naioth at Ramah";

1 Samuel 19:19 esv

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

1 Samuel 19:19 nlt

When the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah,

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 19 Meaning

This verse concisely reports that King Saul received specific intelligence regarding David's presence at Naioth in Ramah. It directly triggers Saul's immediate and renewed pursuit of David, intensifying the dramatic tension and highlighting Saul's escalating, murderous jealousy. The precise geographical detail of David's location is critical for the unfolding of subsequent divine interventions.

1 Samuel 19 19 Context

This verse is a crucial point within the rapid narrative of 1 Samuel chapter 19. It follows David's dramatic escape from Saul's murderous spear attack (v. 9-10) and his wife Michal's elaborate efforts to save him from Saul's household messengers (v. 11-17). David, now a fugitive, flees to Samuel at Ramah, specifically taking refuge in "Naioth" (v.18). Ramah was Samuel's well-known hometown and a hub for prophetic activity under his leadership. The notification in verse 19 that reaches Saul serves as the catalyst for the subsequent extraordinary divine interventions, where God repeatedly thwarts Saul's attempts to capture David by having His Spirit overpower Saul's messengers and eventually Saul himself, compelling them to prophesy rather than harm David.

1 Samuel 19 19 Word analysis

• And it was told Saul (וַיַּגִּידוּ לְשָׁאוּל - vayyaggidu l'Sha'ul):

  • The Hebrew verb vayyaggidu (from nagad) in the Hiphil stem indicates a causative action, meaning "they caused it to be known" or "they reported."
  • This implies a network of informants loyal to Saul, actively tracking David. It highlights the direct communication of crucial intelligence to the king, intensifying his relentless hunt for David.

• saying (לֵאמֹר - lemor):

  • A common Hebrew infinitive construct that simply introduces direct speech, marking the precise content of the message delivered to Saul.

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh):

  • An emphatic interjection, translated as "look" or "behold!" It serves to grab attention, underscoring the urgency and significance of the reported information for Saul. It signals a critical turn in the events.

• David is at Naioth (דָוִד בְּנָיוֹת - David b'Nayot):

  • "Naioth" (נָיוֹת - Nayot) literally means "dwellings" or "habitations." It is commonly understood by scholars to refer to a specific complex of dwellings or a communal living space within Ramah.
  • This "Naioth" was likely a known center for prophetic training or a gathering place for the "sons of the prophets" under Samuel's leadership, representing a spiritual enclave.

• in Ramah (בָּרָמָה - ba'Ramah):

  • Ramah was the personal home and prophetic headquarters of Samuel, the venerable prophet who anointed both Saul and David.
  • The mention of Ramah grounds the narrative in a place of significant spiritual authority, signaling David's sanctuary under divine protection in contrast to Saul's escalating ungodliness.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And it was told Saul, saying...": This phrase initiates the narrative escalation, showing how effectively Saul's intelligence apparatus functions in tracking his perceived enemy. It drives the plot forward, setting the stage for direct confrontation.
  • "Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.": This entire clause is the pivotal piece of information that propels Saul into action. The specificity of "Naioth in Ramah" is crucial, as it denotes David's location in a sacred prophetic space under Samuel's authority. This particular detail is central to understanding the miraculous thwarting of Saul's plans, foreshadowing God's direct intervention to protect His anointed in this divinely-charged environment.

1 Samuel 19 19 Bonus section

The unique nature of Saul being "overpowered" by the Spirit (1 Sam 19:20-24), despite his rebellious heart, demonstrates God's sovereign control even over those who actively oppose His will. It's a "binding" of Saul's malicious intent rather than a gracious anointing. This incident provides another instance of the rhetorical question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (first in 1 Sam 10:12, now echoed in 1 Sam 19:24), which shifts in meaning from validating Saul's initial anointing to highlighting the irony and futility of his current actions against God's chosen. God, through an involuntary spiritual experience, prevents His purpose from being thwarted by a disobedient king. This spiritual manifestation, occurring in a community permeated by prophecy (Naioth), serves as a direct, public testimony to God's defense of David.

1 Samuel 19 19 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:19 is a concise yet powerful verse that acts as the immediate precursor to a series of divine interventions. Saul's receipt of David's precise location in "Naioth in Ramah"—a recognized center of prophetic community under Samuel's authority—ignites his desperate resolve to eliminate David. However, by seeking refuge in such a consecrated space, David places himself under a distinct sphere of spiritual protection. This report, therefore, does not just facilitate Saul's pursuit but actually precipitates a dramatic demonstration of God's sovereignty. The subsequent events, where the Spirit of the Lord overpowers Saul's messengers and eventually Saul himself, compelling them to "prophesy" and preventing any harm to David, unequivocally declare God's protective hand over His anointed and His ultimate control over all human schemes.