Topical Encyclopedia
Naioth is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Samuel. It is closely associated with the prophet Samuel and the early life of David, who would later become the king of Israel. The name "Naioth" is often understood to mean "dwellings" or "habitations," suggesting a communal or residential area.
Biblical References:Naioth is primarily referenced in
1 Samuel 19:18-24. In this passage, David flees from King Saul, who is intent on killing him. David seeks refuge with Samuel at Naioth in Ramah. The text states:
"So David fled and escaped, and he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there." (
1 Samuel 19:18)
While David is at Naioth, Saul sends messengers to capture him. However, upon arriving, these messengers are overcome by the Spirit of God and begin to prophesy. This happens multiple times, and eventually, Saul himself goes to Naioth, where he too is overcome by the Spirit and begins to prophesy, laying aside his royal garments and prophesying before Samuel.
Significance:Naioth holds significant importance as a place of divine intervention and prophetic activity. The events at Naioth demonstrate the power of God's Spirit, which can override human intentions and bring about unexpected outcomes. The repeated instances of Saul's messengers, and Saul himself, being compelled to prophesy highlight the sovereignty of God over the affairs of men.
The presence of Samuel at Naioth also underscores its role as a center for prophetic activity. Samuel, as a major prophet and judge in Israel, provides spiritual leadership and guidance, and his association with Naioth suggests it may have been a place where prophets gathered or were trained.
Location:Naioth is described as being in Ramah, which is Samuel's hometown. The exact location of Naioth is not definitively known, but it is generally considered to be in the region of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. Ramah itself is identified with several possible archaeological sites, but the precise identification of Naioth remains uncertain.
Theological Themes:1.
Divine Protection: The narrative of David at Naioth illustrates God's protection over His chosen servant. Despite Saul's persistent attempts to capture David, God intervenes supernaturally to safeguard him.
2.
Prophetic Authority: The events at Naioth affirm the authority and power of the prophetic office. The Spirit of God working through the prophets demonstrates that God's word and will cannot be thwarted by human opposition.
3.
Sovereignty of God: The transformation of Saul and his messengers into prophets serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty. It shows that God can use any situation to fulfill His purposes and that His Spirit can influence anyone, regardless of their intentions.
In summary, Naioth is a significant biblical location that serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and prophetic activity, highlighting themes of God's protection, prophetic authority, and divine sovereignty.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Naiothbeauties; habitations
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Naioth(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.
ATS Bible Dictionary
NaiothThe abode of Samuel, and his pupils in a "school of the prophets,"1 Samuel 19:18-24 20:1. It appears to have been a suburb of Ramah; and David, having sought refuge there with Samuel, was pursued by Saul.
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 Samuel 19:18, 19, 22, 23), and here he passed a few weeks in peace (Comp.
Psalm 11). It was probably the common residence of the "sons of the prophets."
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NAIOTHna'-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 (1 Samuel 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?"
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
5121. Navith -- an abode of prophets... 5120, 5121. Navith. 5122 . an abode of prophets. Transliteration: Navith
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-veeth') Short Definition:
Naioth.
...Naioth.
...Library
Reverence in Worship.
... And, in like manner, in his old age, when Saul sent to seek David atNaioth, where
Samuel was, his messengers found Samuel and the prophets under him all in...
The Exile Continued.
... And he and Samuel went and dwelt inNaioth" (1 Samuel 19:18)"or, as the word probably
means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons...
Jonathan, the Pattern of Friendship
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL JONATHAN, THE PATTERN OF FRIENDSHIP. 'And David fled from
Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done?...
How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares for Him, did yet Escape the...
... was made acquainted with the unjust proceedings of the king, he left the city Ramah,
and took David with him, to a certain place calledNaioth, and there he...
Basil as Archbishop.
... At the end of the basilica, facing the multitude, stood Basil, statue-like, erect
as Samuel among the prophets atNaioth, [174] and quite indifferent to the...
Preface to the First Edition of the Gospel of the Pentateuch to...
... But, like Samuel, they have a far higher reward, in the Davids who are silently
strengthened and nurtured by them inNaioth of Ramah"in the glories of a new...
The Israelites
... a fitful independence, and Samuel, the representative of the traditions of Shiloh,
was allowed to judge his own people, and preside over aNaioth or "monastery...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <....
A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Naioth (5 Occurrences)... It was probably the common residence of the "sons of the prophets.". Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia.
NAIOTH.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Naioth (5 Occurrences).
...Nai'oth (5 Occurrences)
Nai'oth.Naioth, Nai'oth. Naive . Multi-Version Concordance Nai'oth (5
Occurrences).... And he and Samuel went and dwelt inNaioth. (See RSV)....
Ramah (38 Occurrences)
... Here, inNaioth, David found asylum with Samuel from the mad king (19:18, etc.),
and hence, he fled on his ill-starred visit to Nob (20:1). In his native city...
Ramath (10 Occurrences)
... and is escaped, and cometh in unto Samuel to Ramath, and declareth to him all that
Saul hath done to him, and he goeth, he and Samuel, and they dwell inNaioth...
Prophesyeth (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 And he goeth thither -- untoNaioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God
is upon him -- him also; and he goeth, going on, and he prophesyeth till his...
Prophesied (57 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 He went there toNaioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God came on
him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came toNaioth in Ramah....
Prophesying (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 And he went thither toNaioth in Ramah; and the spirit of God came
upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came toNaioth in...
Acting (102 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 And he went on from there toNaioth in Ramah: and the spirit of God
came on him, and he went on, acting like a prophet, till he came toNaioth...
Proceeded (72 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 And he went thither toNaioth in Ramah; and the spirit of God came
upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came toNaioth in...
Walked (178 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:23 He went there toNaioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God came on
him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came toNaioth in Ramah....
Resources
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