18 Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at (A)Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth. 19 And it was told Saul, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, (B)the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, (C)and they also prophesied. 21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, (D)and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, (E)and they also prophesied. 22 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 (F)Ramah.” 23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. (G)And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 (H)And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, (I)“Is Saul also among the prophets?”

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Saul Prophesies at Ramah and David Escapes

18 David escaped and fled. He came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth. 19 It was reported to Saul saying, “David is at Naioth in Ramah right now.” 20 Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw a group of prophets caught up in prophetic ecstasy,[a] with Samuel standing beside them leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul’s messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy.[b]

21 They reported this to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy.[c] 22 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[d] replied, “They’re at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 Saul went to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came on him also. He continued in prophetic ecstasy[e] until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 He also removed his clothes and was caught up in prophetic ecstasy[f] right in front of Samuel! He fell down naked and remained there all that day and all night. That is why people say,[g] “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 19:20 Or prophesying
  2. 1 Samuel 19:20 Or prophesied
  3. 1 Samuel 19:21 Or prophesied
  4. 1 Samuel 19:22 Lit. He
  5. 1 Samuel 19:23 Or he continued to prophesy
  6. 1 Samuel 19:24 Or prophesied
  7. 1 Samuel 19:24 Lit. Therefore, they say