Schools of the Prophets

THE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS Because of the moral decline of the priesthood under Eli and his wicked sons, Samuel was led to form a school of the prophets wherein young men, mostly Levites, were trained to teach the Law of GOD, to the people. There was such a school at Ramah, over which Samuel presided, and David fled there for a time when Saul sought to kill him (I Samuel 19:18-21). There would seem to have been one at Gibeah where Samuel mentions "a company of prophets" (I Samuel 10:5, 10). In the days of Elijah and Elisha, reference is made to "the sons of the prophets" (I Kings 20:35), as living together at Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho (II Kings 2:1, 3, 5; 4:38). About one hundred prophets ate with Elisha at Gilgal (II Kings 4:38-44). There may have been that many at Jericho, for mention is made "of fifty men of the sons of the prophets" (II Kings 2:7) that went to hunt for the body of Elijah. These schools were no doubt for the study of the law and history of Israel, and also the cultivation of sacred music and poetry. The writing of sacred history came to be an important part of the labor of the prophets. These young men were given mental and spiritual training in order that they might be able to exert a greater influence for good upon the people of their day. [Manners And Customs of Bible Lands]