1 Samuel 19 23

1 Samuel 19:23 kjv

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 19:23 nkjv

So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

1 Samuel 19:23 niv

So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.

1 Samuel 19:23 esv

And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

1 Samuel 19:23 nlt

But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy all the way to Naioth!

1 Samuel 19 verses

1 Samuel 19 23 Meaning

1 Samuel 19:23 describes Saul's unexpected and involuntary encounter with the Spirit of God as he pursued David at Naioth in Ramah. The divine Spirit powerfully came upon him, causing him to prophesy continuously from the journey itself and, upon arriving at Naioth, to lie prostrate, stripped of his outer garments, for a prolonged period, thus being physically incapacitated and prevented from harming David. This event served as a direct divine intervention, asserting God's control even over a disobedient king and safeguarding His chosen servant.

1 Samuel 19 23 Context

This verse is situated amidst King Saul's increasingly fervent and irrational pursuit of David, whom he viewed as a threat to his kingship, despite God having chosen David. Chapter 19 details David's repeated escapes from Saul's murderous intent. After Jonathan's warning, Michal's deception, and Samuel's shelter, David flees to Samuel at Naioth in Ramah, a known center for a community of prophets. Saul sends three separate groups of messengers, and then himself, to seize David. Each time, as the messengers approach the prophetic company led by Samuel, they are overwhelmed by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy. This verse describes the climax when Saul himself, driven by animosity, also falls under the powerful influence of the Spirit. This event serves to physically and publicly humiliate Saul, momentarily disable his intent, and divinely protect David from immediate capture, reiterating God's oversight of His anointed and His opposition to Saul's disobedience.

1 Samuel 19 23 Word analysis

• And he went (וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ, vayyelekh): This signifies Saul's determined action, his continued pursuit of David even after three sets of messengers had been incapacitated. The repeated action highlights Saul's hardened resolve against God's chosen.
• there (שָׁ֖ם, sham): Refers to Naioth in Ramah, where Samuel resided and a company of prophets congregated. This was a place associated with spiritual activity and divine presence, indicating Saul was entering sacred ground.
• and the Spirit of God (וְר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים, weruakh Elohim): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the active power of God. This emphasizes divine intervention. It is the same Spirit that had come upon Saul earlier for kingship (1 Sam 10:6) and that departed from him (1 Sam 16:14), now asserting control over him again, not for empowerment to lead, but for restraint and humiliation.
• was upon him (הָֽיְתָה֙ עָלָ֔יו, hayetah ‘alaw): Literally "became upon him," denoting an overpowering, engulfing presence, characteristic of divine empowering for prophetic or special tasks. In this context, it functions as a disabling force.
• and he went on and prophesied (וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ הָל֔וֹךְ וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֖א, wayyelekh halokh wayyithnabbe): "Went on prophesying" implies a continuous action from the very point he set out until he reached Naioth. vayyithnabbe (from nava, "to prophesy") describes speaking under divine inspiration, often accompanied by ecstatic behavior. Here, it is imposed upon him against his will, diverting his mission.
• until he came to Naioth in Ramah (עַד־ בֹּא֖וֹ נָי֥וֹת בָּרָמָֽה, ‘ad bo’o Nayoth baRamah): Reinforces the specific location of the prophetic company and Samuel's presence, signifying Saul's progression deeper into a divinely controlled sphere.
• And he too stripped off his clothes (וַיִּפְשַׁ֣ט גַּם־ ה֗וּא בְּגָדָיו֙, wayyipshat gam-hu b'gadayw): The phrase implies stripping down to his inner garments or completely, publicly exposing himself. The verb wayyipshat indicates removal of garments.
• and he prophesied (וַיִּתְנַבֵּא֙, wayyithnabbe): Again, under divine influence, acting like a prophet. The repetition underscores the continuation of this extraordinary behavior.
• before Samuel (לִפְנֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל, lifne Shmuel): This highlights Samuel's prominent spiritual authority and likely the direct presence of the company of prophets he led. Saul's humiliation occurred in front of the very prophet who had anointed him and later declared God's rejection of him.
• and lay naked (וַיִּשְׁכַּב֙ עָרֹ֔ם, wayyishkav ‘arom): ‘arom (עָרֹם) means naked or unclothed. In biblical contexts, it often implies being stripped of outer, princely robes, or public shame and vulnerability rather than absolute nudity, especially for a king. This was a profound act of humiliation, signifying his loss of control, dignity, and kingly authority before God and Samuel.
• all that day and all that night (כָּל־ הַיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ וְכָל־ הַלַּ֔יְלָה, kol-hayyom hahu vekhol-hallaylah): This duration emphasizes the complete and prolonged nature of Saul's incapacitation, ensuring David's safety. It signifies the depth and inescapable power of the Spirit's hold on him.

1 Samuel 19 23 Bonus section

The recurring question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Sam 10:11; 19:24), associated with Saul's prophetic episodes, highlights the unusual and sometimes ironic nature of God's interaction with him. While the earlier instance might have implied God's initial call and enablement for Saul's kingship, the later one in 1 Samuel 19 demonstrates God's overpowering judgment and humiliation upon him. This contrast emphasizes a key theological point: God can use even unwilling individuals and unexpected means to achieve His perfect will, regardless of their spiritual state or intentions. This specific prophetic state and stripping of garments serves as a direct, non-verbal polemic against Saul's abuse of power and his rebellious spirit, contrasting his human desire for control with God's ultimate dominion.

1 Samuel 19 23 Commentary

1 Samuel 19:23 illustrates a profound display of God's sovereignty and providential protection over His chosen. Saul, driven by jealous malice, is completely overcome by the Spirit of God, forced into prophetic ecstasy that strips him of his kingly dignity and his hostile intent. This is not empowerment for righteous leadership, but an act of divine restraint, humbling and disarming a rebellious king. The imagery of Saul prophesying from his journey and then lying "naked" (likely meaning stripped of his royal or outer garments) before Samuel symbolizes his public disgrace and God's removal of his kingly covering. It powerfully echoes the question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" from 1 Samuel 10, but now with a stark irony: this "prophecy" is not a sign of his being in God's favor, but a divine intervention demonstrating his lack of control and utter subservience to God's will. It also serves as a strong reminder that human will, no matter how powerful or malicious, is ultimately subject to divine purpose.