Schools of the Prophets
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These schools were intended to serve as a barrier against the wide-
spreading corruption, to provide for the mental and spiritual welfare of
the youth, and to promote the prosperity of the nation by furnishing it
with men qualified to act in the fear of God as leaders and counselors.
To this end, Samuel gathered companies of young men who were
pious, intelligent, and studious. These were called the sons of the
prophets. As they studied the word and the works of God, His life-
giving power quickened the energies of mind and soul, and the students
received wisdom from above. The instructors were not only versed
in divine truth, but had themselves enjoyed communion with God,
and had received the special endowment of His Spirit. They had the
respect and confidence of the people, both for learning and for piety.
In Samuel’s day there were two of these schools—one at Ramah, the
home of the prophet, and the other at Kirjath-jearim. In later times
others were established.
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The pupils of these schools sustained themselves by their own
labor in tilling the soil or in some mechanical employment. In Israel
this was not thought strange or degrading; indeed, it was regarded
as a sin to allow children to grow up in ignorance of useful labor.
Every youth, whether his parents were rich or poor, was taught some
trade. Even though he was to be educated for holy office, a knowledge
of practical life was regarded as essential to the greatest usefulness.
Many, also, of the teachers supported themselves by manual labor.
In both the school and the home much of the teaching was oral; but
the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings, and the parchment
rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures were open to their study. The
chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the
instruction given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry.
In the records of sacred history were traced the footsteps of Jehovah.
The great truths set forth by the types in the service of the sanctuary
were brought to view, and faith grasped the central object of all that
system—the Lamb of God, that was to take away the sin of the world.
A spirit of devotion was cherished. Not only were the students taught
the duty of prayer, but they were taught how to pray, how to approach
their Creator, how to exercise faith in Him, and how to understand
and obey the teachings of His Spirit. Sanctified intellect brought forth
from the treasure house of God things new and old, and the Spirit of
God was manifested in prophecy and sacred song.