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NAIOTH
Place where David was given refuge from Saul (1 Sm 19:18–20:1). Here Samuel supervised a group of prophets. According to verses 19 and 23 of chapter 19, Naioth was located within Ramah, Samuel’s hometown.
The derivation of the term is enigmatic. The word occurs nowhere else in Scripture, and the Hebrew text seems intentionally obscure. The word perhaps stems from a Hebrew root meaning “pastoral abode” or “dwelling place.” In 2 Samuel 15:25 another derivative of the Hebrew root refers to the Lord’s habitation, prompting some to suggest that Naioth is a proper noun referring to a sanctuary in Ramah (see 1 Sm 10:5, where prophets were also associated with a sanctuary). Others conclude that Naioth alludes to a school, cloister, or settlement of prophets, of which Samuel was head.