MPV Commentary

David fled to Samuel in Ramah, where he was living in retirement and overseeing the school of prophets at Naioth, a small village nearby. This quiet retreat suited David's temperament, but Saul discovered his hiding place and sent three groups of men to apprehend him.

The character of the location and the sacred activities taking place there had a profound effect on these men. They were unable to carry out their mission and instead found themselves irresistibly drawn into singing God's praises. When Saul learned that his messengers had failed, he became enraged and determined to go after David himself.

However, before reaching Ramah, Saul's own emotions were stirred even more strongly than those of his men. He soon found himself joining the young prophets in their worship, a remarkable transformation that can only be attributed to God's power to change human hearts as easily as water flows through rivers.