The “school of prophets” refers to groups or companies of prophets that existed in ancient Israel. The Hebrew term used is “sons of the prophets” or “company of prophets.” The Bible mentions several such groups, though details are limited.
The first mention is in 1 Samuel 10, where Saul meets a “company of prophets” coming down from a high place while searching for his father’s donkeys. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Saul and he prophesies along with them (1 Samuel 10:5-6, 10-11). This indicates that the school of prophets was active during the time of Samuel.
Later in 1 Samuel 19:18-24, David flees from Saul to Samuel at Ramah and ends up at Samuel’s house where there was apparently a group or “company of prophets” led by Samuel. The Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men as well as Saul himself and they prophesied. So Samuel led a company of prophets in which the Spirit of the Lord would come upon them and they would prophesy.
In 2 Kings 2, groups of “sons of the prophets” are mentioned several times. First in Bethel (v. 3) and then Jericho (v. 5). After Elijah is taken to heaven, Elisha performs miracles before the sons of the prophets in Jericho (v. 15-18). Another group is later mentioned in Gilgal (2 Kings 4:38).
2 Kings 4:1 also speaks of a widow of one of the sons of the prophets coming to Elisha. 2 Kings 6:1 mentions a group large enough to want to build themselves a communal building. Elisha would also visit these groups occasionally (2 Kings 4:38, 6:1).
A few things we can conclude about the schools of the prophets:
- They were led by well-known prophets like Samuel and Elijah.
- The Spirit of God would regularly come upon them and they would prophesy.
- They seem to have operated somewhat communally, living together in groups.
- Some may have taken vows of devotion like prophets (hence the widow of one).
- Music and ecstatic worship seem to have been part of their practice (1 Samuel 10:5-6).
As to their purpose and function, several possibilities have been suggested:
- They may have provided spiritual encouragement, training, and accountability to help develop prophets.
- They may have focused on preserving and copying Scripture.
- They may have provided moral guidance to the nation through their prophecies.
- They may have led liturgical worship services through their music.
While the schools or companies of prophets are mentioned briefly at key points in Israel’s history, the biblical texts leave many questions unanswered about them. We are not given extensive details on how they were organized, their day-to-day activities, requirements for membership, or how long they remained active.
Yet they clearly served an important role in Israel as companies of devout and spiritually gifted individuals committed to worship, service, training, and preserving God’s word during a pivotal time of change in Israel’s leadership – from judges to monarchy. They provided an alternative to corrupt religious shrines and helped pass on prophetic heritage to coming generations.
Though details are limited, the biblical mentions of the sons of the prophets or companies of prophets provide intriguing glimpses into organized prophetic ministry and training in ancient Israel. They show that even in a society of individual prophets there was value seen in providing communal support, direction, and accountability. Godly prophets recognized the importance of banding together for encouragement, training, worship, and carrying out their calling.
The schools of prophets served Israel for generations through moral guidance, liturgical worship arts, spiritual training for prophecy, and scriptural study. They provided a vibrant prophetic culture immersed in God’s Spirit, wisdom and word during pivotal seasons of Israel’s history. Though the biblical texts leave many details about them unanswered, it is clear the schools of prophets made a significant and unique contribution among the people of God.
Some key Bible passages on the schools of prophets:
1 Samuel 10:5-13; 19:18-24 – Indicates a company of prophets active in Samuel’s day which Saul encountered and prophesied with.
1 Kings 20:35 – References sons of the prophets at Bethel.
2 Kings 2:3-18 – mentions groups of sons of the prophets in Bethel and Jericho who interact with Elijah and Elisha.
2 Kings 4:38-41 – Elisha visits sons of the prophets in Gilgal.
2 Kings 6:1-7 – The sons of the prophets want to build a communal place and Elisha assists.
Amos 7:14 – Amos denies being trained as a prophet or the son of a prophet, indicating prophetic training did exist.
While details are limited, these passages give us glimpses into an organized movement of prophetic ministry, training, worship, and community in ancient Israel. The story of the schools of prophets enhances our understanding of how God restored spiritual leadership and obedience in His people.
The Origin and Early History of the Schools of the Prophets
The origin of the schools of the prophets is unclear, but they seem to have arisen sometime between the ministry of the judge Samuel and the early reign of King Saul. The Bible first mentions them in 1 Samuel 10 when Saul encounters a company of prophets near Gibeah around 1050 B.C. (1 Samuel 10:5-13).
Based on this account, the schools or companies of prophets likely emerged during the ministry of Samuel to aid him in training prophetic leadership for Israel. As both judge and prophet, Samuel anointed the first two kings of Israel – Saul and David. He was also described as leading a band of prophets himself in 1 Samuel 19:20.
The schools of prophets arose during a spiritual renewal and reform in Israel led by Samuel before the monarchy. Corruption and idolatry had spread through the priesthood under Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17). God raised up Samuel as both priest and prophet to bring reform.
Samuel likely founded or organized groups of prophets across Israel to assist him in teaching, training, worship, and reforming the nation. They served under prophetic leadership to counter corrupt religious influence and provide moral guidance to the people. The Spirit of God empowered them to prophesy and praise God.
The companies of prophets were already active at the beginnings of Saul and David’s reigns. After Samuel died, they served under prophets like Nathan and Gad who assisted David. They helped preserve and copy Scripture as well as train future prophets.
For example, the prophet Amos denied being trained as a prophet or the son of a prophet, indicating he was not part of the schools (Amos 7:14). Nevertheless, he was called by God to be a prophet.
The origin of the schools of prophets is uncertain but they emerged around Samuel’s ministry to aid Israel’s spiritual renewal and continued assisting the prophets who followed Samuel such as Nathan, Gad and others.
The Lifestyle and Practices of the Sons of the Prophets
The lifestyle and practices of the “sons of the prophets” centered around spiritual disciplines like worship, prayer, training, and service. Music, prophecy, and community living seemed to be key aspects.
1 Samuel 10 describes a company of prophets coming down from a high place prophesying with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps as the Spirit came upon them (v.5-6). Their worship combined spontaneous prophecy and ecstatic praise.
In 2 Kings 3:15, Elisha called for a musician to play so the hand of the Lord would come upon him to prophesy. Music helped stir prophetic inspiration. Companies of prophets also seem to have lived together communally for the purpose of fellowship, training and service (2 Kings 6:1-2).
Certain prophets like Elijah and Elisha functioned as leaders, trainers and overseers who would visit and instruct the communities of prophets (2 Kings 4:38). The sons of the prophets showed them honor and would seek advice from them as spiritual authorities (2 Kings 2:15, 6:1).
Some apparently took vows of service as prophets since they left widows (2 Kings 4:1). They probably focused on spiritual training to hone prophecy, ethical and theological teaching, copying Scripture, composing worship music, prayer and fasting.
Though details aren’t extensive, the lifestyle of the sons of prophets centered around spiritual disciplines like worship, training, community, service and upholding biblical ideals – activities thought to help develop character and gifting for prophetic ministry.
Prophecy, music, mentorship from seasoned prophets, communal living and spiritual discipline marked their unique lifestyle as an organized prophetic movement.
The Decline of the Schools of the Prophets
The biblical record is unclear regarding when and why the schools of the prophets declined. However, they seem to have faded in influence and activity by the latter years of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah.
Several factors likely contributed to their gradual demise:
1. Lack of godly political leadership – After the split of Israel and Judah, an increasing number of evil and corrupt kings arose who persecuted true prophets and promoted idolatry. These wicked rulers decreased support for the companies of prophets.
2. Idolatry – Rampant idolatry and religious syncretism diluted spiritual zeal among the people causing the influence of the prophets to diminish.
3. Persecution – Wicked rulers began to actively persecute, imprison and kill faithful prophets, making it harder for them to maintain communities.
4. Complacency – Over time, the communal lifestyle and spiritual vigor of the schools of prophets may have declined due to complacency.
5. Alternative training methods – More prophets like Elijah and Elisha took on individual students like Elisha and Gehazi instead of grup training.
By the time of the great writing prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the schools of prophets are not mentioned anymore. The spiritual and ethical decline in Israel and Judah decreased the influence of organized prophetic communities. God still raised up individual prophets who courageously spoke out against corruption and idolatry.
But the unique communal environment, prophetic culture, and vibrancy of the schools of the prophets slowly faded over time due to compromised leadership, growing evil, persecution, and complacency.
The Contributions and Legacy of the Schools of the Prophets
Though their duration was limited, the schools of the prophets made valuable contributions to Israel’s spiritual life and left a legacy in several ways:
- They helped renew worship through training musicians and composers for tabernacle/temple worship.
- They encouraged spiritual devotion in Israel through their contagious enthusiasm.
- They passed on wisdom and training that helped develop prophets for future generations.
- They provided moral guidance, spiritual accountability and biblical teaching to kings and the nation.
- They helped preserve, copy and compile written Scripture as God’s word.
- Their courageous example inspired bolder prophetic ministry in the face of opposition.
In a time of spiritual decline, the schools of the prophets modeled vibrant community centered around worship, discipleship, ethics, and God’s word. They impacted Israel’s spiritual life as passionate companies of visionary leaders anchored in worshiping God and upholding His truth.
Though their efforts could not completely restrain the tide of evil in Israel’s leadership, their legacy continued through the bold ministry of later writing prophets. Their influence was limited by their surrounding culture, but the faithful devotion of the sons and companies of prophets left its mark on Israel’s history and faith.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from the Schools of the Prophets
Though details about the schools of prophets are limited, Christians today can still learn important lessons from them, such as:
- The value of community – Accountability, training and support are key benefits.
- Cultivating spiritual gifts as a community – Prophecy, teaching, music, service, etc.
- The power of corporate worship and prayer.
- Passing on spiritual wisdom and training to next generations.
- Standing for truth and against corruption by godless leaders.
- Upholding Scripture as God’s Word and basis for instruction.
- Zeal for purity, holiness and ethically upright living.
In the individualism of modern culture, the schools of the prophets remind us that accountability, shared spiritual life and corporate training are invaluable. They modeled the blessing of learning together in humble, passionate community under godly mentors.
For Christians, the essence of their legacy remains relevant – banding together in reverent, God-fearing community, pursuing spiritual gifts, standing on Scripture, uprooting sin, guarding our leadership, and passing faith to our children. The schools of the prophets provide an inspirational model of wholehearted, unified devotion to God and His purposes.
Summary of Key Points
- The “schools of the prophets” were communities of prophets in ancient Israel mentioned in the Old Testament.
- They likely emerged around the ministry of Samuel to promote spiritual renewal.
- The lifestyle of “sons of the prophets” focused on worship, prayer, training, mentorship and copying Scripture.
- They declined due to lack of godly leadership, persecution, idolatry and complacency.
- Their legacy was encouraging holiness, training prophets, worship, ethics, and Scripture preservation.
- For Christians, they provide an inspirational model of pursuing spiritual community and gifts with passion.
Though details are limited, the biblical record of the schools of the prophets provides a portrait of vibrant prophetic community, worship and discipleship in ancient Israel. Their legacy serves as a challenge to recapture passionate spiritual pursuit within community under God’s Word – an inspirational model for the people of God.