1 Samuel 19:22
New International Version
Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said.

New Living Translation
Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah and arrived at the great well in Secu. “Where are Samuel and David?” he demanded. “They are at Naioth in Ramah,” someone told him.

English Standard Version
Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he went to Ramah himself and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

NASB 1995
Then he himself went to Ramah and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

NASB 1977
Then he himself went to Ramah, and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he himself went to Ramah and came as far as the large well that is in Secu; and he asked and said, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.”

Amplified Bible
Then Saul went to Ramah himself and came to the great well that is in Secu; and he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And he was told, “They are at Naioth [with the prophets] in Ramah.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul himself went to Ramah. He came to the large cistern at Secu and asked, “Where are Samuel and David? ” “At Naioth in Ramah,” someone said.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul himself went to Ramah. He came to the large cistern at Secu, looked around, and asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “At Naioth in Ramah,” someone said.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Finally, Saul left for Ramah himself. He went as far as the deep pit at the town of Secu, and he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" "At Prophets Village in Ramah," the people answered.

English Revised Version
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 be at Naioth in Ramah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he went to Ramah himself. He went as far as the big cistern in Secu and asked [the people], "Where are Samuel and David?" He was told, "Over there in the pastures at Ramah."

Good News Translation
Then he himself started out to Ramah. When he came to the large well in Secu, he asked where Samuel and David were and was told that they were at Naioth.

International Standard Version
Then Saul himself went to Ramah, and he arrived at the large well that is in Secu. He asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone replied, "They're at Naioth in Ramah."

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Finally Saul himself went to Ramah. When he arrived at the large cistern that is in Secu, he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" They said, "At Naioth in Ramah."

New Heart English Bible
And Saul became very angry, and he himself also went to Ramah, and came to the cistern of the threshing floor that is on the bare hill. And he asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" And one said, "Look, they are in the dwellings at Ramah."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he goes—he also—to Ramath, and comes to the great well which [is] in Sechu, and asks and says, “Where [are] Samuel and David?” And [one] says, “Behold, in 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he also will go to Ramah, and he will come even to the great pit which is in Sechu: and he will ask and say, Where Samuel and David? And it will be said, Behold, in Naioth in Ramah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Went also himself to Ramatha, and came as far as the great cistern, which is in Socho, and he asked, and said: In what place are Samuel and David? And it was told him: Behold they axe in Najoth in Ramatha.

Catholic Public Domain Version
also went to Ramah himself. And he went as far as the great cistern, which is in Socoh. And he inquired and said, “In which place are Samuel and David?” And it was told to him, “Behold, they are at Naioth, in Ramah.”

New American Bible
Finally Saul went to Ramah himself. Arriving at the large cistern in Secu, he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” Someone answered, “At Naioth in Ramah.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he himself went to Ramah. He came to the great well that is in Secu; he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And someone said, “They are at Naioth in Ramah.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he himself went to Ramtha, and came as far as the great cistern which is at the end of the town; and Saul said, Where are Samuel and David? And they said to him, Behold, they are at Jonath which is in Ramtha.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he went on also himself to Ramtha and he arrived at a great pit at the end, and Shaul said: “Where are Shemueil and David? And they said to him: “Behold, in Yonath that is in Ramtha”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then went he also to Ramah, and came to the great cistern that is in Secu; and he asked and said: 'Where are Samuel and David?' And one said: 'Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul was very angry, and went himself also to Armathaim, and he comes as far as the well of the threshing floor that is in Sephi; and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And they said, Behold, in Navath in Rama.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Michal Saves 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. 23So Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. But the Spirit of God came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah.…

Cross References
Acts 9:3-4
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. / He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

Acts 22:6-7
About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. / I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Acts 26:12-14
In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. / About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. / We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

1 Samuel 10:10-12
When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them. / When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” / Then a man who lived there replied, “And who is their father?” So the saying became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

1 Samuel 18:10
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear,

1 Samuel 28:6-7
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. / Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.

2 Kings 1:9-15
Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...

2 Kings 6:13-17
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. / When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” ...

2 Kings 9:1-3
Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”

2 Kings 9:11
When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.

2 Chronicles 18:18-22
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. / And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. ...

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

Jeremiah 23:21-22
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Ezekiel 13:3-6
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing. / Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins. / You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD. ...

Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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.

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Cistern David Large Naioth Nai'oth Questioning Ramah Ramath Samuel Someone Water-Spring
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1 Samuel 19
1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord














Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah
The word "Finally" indicates a culmination of events leading to this moment. Saul's relentless pursuit of David is reaching a critical point. The Hebrew root for "left" (יָלַךְ, yalak) often implies a deliberate action, suggesting Saul's determination. Ramah, Samuel's hometown, is significant as a place of prophetic activity and divine encounters. Saul's journey here underscores his desperation and the spiritual tension between his kingship and God's anointed, David.

and came to the great cistern at Secu
The "great cistern" (בּוֹר גָּדוֹל, bor gadol) at Secu serves as a geographical marker, but also symbolizes a place of gathering and sustenance. Cisterns were vital in ancient Israel for water storage, representing life and survival. Saul's arrival here may metaphorically suggest his search for spiritual and political sustenance, as he grapples with his waning authority. Secu's exact location is uncertain, but its mention highlights the historical and geographical context of Saul's pursuit.

And he asked, 'Where are Samuel and David?'
Saul's inquiry reveals his focus on two pivotal figures: Samuel, the prophet who anointed him, and David, the one who threatens his throne. The Hebrew verb for "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) can imply seeking guidance or information, reflecting Saul's inner turmoil and need for control. This question underscores the tension between divine will (represented by Samuel and David) and human authority (embodied by Saul).

'At Naioth in Ramah,' he was told
Naioth, likely a prophetic community or school, is a place of spiritual refuge and instruction. The phrase "in Ramah" ties this location to Samuel's influence and the prophetic tradition. The response Saul receives highlights the protective environment surrounding David, orchestrated by God's providence. This setting contrasts with Saul's increasingly unstable reign, emphasizing the divine protection over David and the prophetic endorsement of his future kingship.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Finally, Saul himself
ה֜וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

left for
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

Ramah
הָרָמָ֗תָה (hā·rā·mā·ṯāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel

and came
וַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the large
הַגָּדוֹל֙ (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

cistern
בּ֤וֹר (bō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

at Secu,
בַּשֶּׂ֔כוּ (baś·śe·ḵū)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7906: Secu -- a city near Ramah

where he asked,
וַיִּשְׁאַ֣ל (way·yiš·’al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

“Where
אֵיפֹ֥ה (’ê·p̄ōh)
Interrogative
Strong's 375: What place?, when?, how?

are Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

and David?”
וְדָוִ֑ד (wə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

“At Naioth
בְּנָי֥וֹת (bə·nā·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5121: Naioth -- an abode of prophets

in Ramah,”
בָּרָמָֽה׃ (bā·rā·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel

he was told.
וַיֹּ֔אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 1 Samuel 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 19:21
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