So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
Ver. 18. And came to Samuel to Ramah.] For direction and comfort, which is to be had, if anywhere upon earth, in the communion of saints, in the company of good people. Here also, if anywhere in the land, he might hope to be safe under Samuel's wing, and in a college of prophets, as in a sanctuary of safety. See 1 Samuel 10:5, with the note.
And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.] Which was a college or school of prophets, adjoining to Ramah. The word Naioth signifieth a solitary place in the pastures and fields: this was fittest for study and meditation. Here was professed the true philosophy which is, saith Aristotle, a θειον τι και δαιμονιον οντως χρημα, a divine and heavenly doctrine indeed; far different from that vain deceitful philosophy which the apostle inveigheth against in Colossians 2:8. This is nothing else but sophistry; which, saith the same Aristotle, b is φαινομενη σοφια, ουσα δε μη; a seeming but not a substantial wisdom.
a Arist., De Mundo, cap. i.
b De Sophist. Elench., cap. i. partic. 6.