naioth Summary and Overview

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 (compare Ps. 11). It was probably the common residence of the "sons of the prophets."

(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. #1Sa 19:18,19,22,23; 20:1| It is evident from ver. #1Sa 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.

NA'IOTH (habitations), a place near Ramah where Samuel dwelt. 1 Sam 19:18-23; 1 Sam 20:1. Some interpret the word to mean a school of prophets over which Samuel presided.

("dwellings".) So the Hebrew margin or Qeri; but the kethib or text has Nevaioth. "At" or "near" (not "in" as KJV) Ramah. The dwellings of a college of prophets, under Samuel (1 Samuel 19:18-23; 1 Samuel 20:1). Thither David fled from Saul, and probably assumed their garb to escape discovery. Now probably Beit Haninah at the head of the wady Haninah; immediately to the E. of neby Samwil, the ancient Ramah of Samuel.