1 Samuel 19:23
And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
Original Language Analysis
הָלוֹךְ֙
on
H1980
הָלוֹךְ֙
on
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
וַתְּהִי֩
H1961
וַתְּהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָלָ֨יו
H5921
עָלָ֨יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
ה֜וּא
H1931
ה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
ר֣וּחַ
and the Spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
and the Spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
10 of 18
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ
And he went
H3212
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ
And he went
Strong's:
H3212
Word #:
12 of 18
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
הָלוֹךְ֙
on
H1980
הָלוֹךְ֙
on
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֔א
and prophesied
H5012
וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֔א
and prophesied
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
14 of 18
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּא֖וֹ
until he came
H935
בֹּא֖וֹ
until he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:10And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.Proverbs 16:9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.1 Samuel 19:20And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
Historical Context
Ecstatic prophetic experience could involve prolonged states of heightened spiritual activity. Saul's journey from Sechu to Naioth under Spirit-influence would have been publicly observable. The experience recalled his earlier prophetic encounter after anointing (10:10-12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes use spiritual experiences to protect His servants from powerful enemies?
- What does Saul's involuntary prophesying teach about the Spirit's sovereignty over even hostile hearts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
Saul's own experience of the Spirit's power - prophesying continuously from Sechu to Naioth - reveals God's sovereign ability to neutralize any threat. The phrase 'the Spirit of God was upon him also' places Saul alongside his messengers in involuntary prophetic seizure. Even the king could not escape divine control. This public prophesying humiliated Saul while protecting David.