Bible Dictionary
Naioth
Naioth was a locality near Ramah where Samuel and a company of prophets lived. David took refuge there from Saul, who was overcome by the Spirit of God when he approached.
Definition
Naioth was a locality associated with Ramah where Samuel and a company of prophets dwelt. The name is connected with a particular place rather than being certainly explained as “habitations.”
Biblical Usage
David fled to Naioth with Samuel to escape Saul. When Saul approached in pursuit, he was overcome by the Spirit of God and acted like one among the prophets.
Historical Background
The supplied material gives no certainty about the etymology of Naioth, but identifies it as a place where prophets lived together, probably in dwellings or huts associated with a prophetic community.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Dwellings, the name given to the prophetical college established by Samuel near Ramah. It consisted of a cluster of separate dwellings, and hence its name. David took refuge here when he fled from Saul (1 Sam. 19:18, 19, 22, 23), and here he passed a few weeks in peace (comp. Ps. 11). It was probably the common residence of the “sons of the prophets.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(habitations), or more fully, “Naioth in Ramah,” a place of Mount Ephraim, the birthplace of Samuel and Saul, and in which Samuel and David took refuge together after the latter had made his escape from the jealous fury of Saul. (1 Samuel 19:18,19,22,23; 20:1) It is evident from ver. (1 Samuel 20:18) that Naioth was not actually in Ramah, Samuel’s habitual residence. In its corrected from the name signifies “habitations,” and probably means the huts or dwellings of a school or college of prophets over which Samuel presided as Elisha did over those at Gilgal and Jericho.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>na'-yoth, ni'-oth (nayoth; Codex Vaticanus Auath; Codex Alexandrinus Nauioth): This is the name given to a place in Ramah to which David went with Samuel when he fled and escaped from Saul (1Sa 19:18, etc.). The term has often been taken as meaning "houses" or "habitations"; but this cannot be justified. There is no certainty as to exactly what the word signified. Clearly, however, it attached to a particular locality in Ramah; and whatever its etymological significance, it denoted a place where the prophets dwelt together. On approaching it in pursuit of David, Saul was overcome by the Spirit of God, and conducted himself like one "possessed," giving rise to the proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"</p><p>W. Ewing</p>