1 Samuel 19:22

Verse

Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then went he also to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.

Bible in Basic English

Then he himself went to Ramah, and came to the great water-spring in Secu; and questioning the people he said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, They are at Naioth in Ramah.

Free Bible Version

For the third time Saul sent messengers, and they also started prophesying.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah. When he arrived at the well at a place named Secu, he asked people there, “Where are Samuel and David?” The people replied, “They are at Naioth in Ramah city.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then he also went to Ramah and came to the deep well that is in Seku. He asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” Someone said, “See, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then he went 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 are at Naioth in Ramah.

World English Bible

Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Secu: and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” One said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Young's Literal Translation

And he goeth — he also — to Ramath, and cometh in unto the great well which [is] in Sechu, and asketh, and saith, 'Where [are] Samuel and David?' and [one] saith, 'Lo, in Naioth in Ramah.'

Context

Saul Tries to Kill David

²¹When this was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well. So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy. ²²Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah and came to the large cistern at Secu, where he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” he was told.

Summary

In this verse, we see Saul sending messengers multiple times to capture David, but each time they are overcome by the Spirit of God and end up prophesying. This demonstrates the power and protection of God over David, foiling Saul's plans. It also reveals God's sovereignty and control over human affairs, using even the enemies of His chosen ones to fulfill His purposes. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit, God's divine intervention ensures David's safety and ultimately fulfills His plan for David to become king.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then went he also to Ramah,.... That is, Saul; his messengers not returning to him, when he sent one after another to take David, at length he set out himself from Gibeah to Ramah: and came to a great well that is in Sechu; which was either the name of a man, the owner of the well, or a place near to which the well was, and is commonly thought to be the same with Shochoh, Sa1 17:1; at such places there was generally a concourse of people at certain times, to fetch water for the inhabitants of the place, and for the watering of flocks and herds, and so a proper place to stop at, and ask the following questions: and he asked and said, where are Samuel and David? for his messengers not returning to him, he could not be sure where they now were, though he had heard they were at Naioth: and one said, behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah; at the house of doctrine, or school in Ramah, as the Targum; thus one at the well replied, in answer to his question, who had seen them go there, or knew they were there.