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Functions of Prophets
Read 08:4-22&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Samuel 8:4-22 and 08:10-13&version=NKJV&src=tools">Leviticus 8:10-13. How did prophets function in relation to kings and priests?
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Prophets interacted with kings in both pleasant and unpleasant situations. When Israel demanded a king (08:4-22&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Sam. 8:4-22), they said we want "a king to judge us like all the nations" (08:5&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Sam. 8:5). What a sad but powerful example of the danger that God's people have faced in every age: the desire to be like those around them. In this case, they had no idea what this request would bring, even though they were forewarned (08:11-18&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Sam. 8:11-18) by God through His prophet. Based on their desires, and despite his warning to them, Samuel soon anointed Israel's first king, known in biblical history as King Saul.
The Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles record the kind and quality of rulership exhibited by the kings of Israel and Judah. Sacred history shows that the kings who did evil far outnumbered those who did good in the sight of God. One of the core functions of the prophets was to help lead unfaithful kings back to obedience to God's law. As a result, these prophets faced threats, with some even harmed and killed by kings who led God's people away from Him (18:4-19&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Kings 18:4-19, 24:20-22&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Chron. 24:20-22).
Prophets also interacted with priests. Moses, a prophet of God, anointed Aaron and his sons as the first Israelite priests (08:10-13&version=NKJV&src=tools">Lev. 8:10-13). There were times priests received words of rebuke from God through the prophets (06:9&version=NKJV&src=tools">Hos. 6:9, 02:1-3&version=NKJV&src=tools">Mal. 2:1-3). One striking example of this is the entire household of Eli, who were confronted for their corrupt practices (02:27-36&version=NKJV&src=tools">1 Sam. 2:27-36). These were some very strong rebukes against rampant corruption among people given special privileges.
Prophets were teachers of the people (2 Chronicles 34). They presented messages from God to the priests, kings, and the nation (05:31&version=NKJV&src=tools">Jer. 5:31, 22:26&version=NKJV&src=tools">Ezek. 22:26). Prophets also spoke to surrounding nations outlining God's plan for them, a theme repeated several times in the messages of the Old Testament prophets (60:1-3&version=NKJV&src=tools">Isa. 60:1-3; Isa. 62:1-2). Prophets were expected not only to pass on faithfully the messages God gave them but were sometimes instructed to write them down and preserve them (13:22&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Chron. 13:22). Again, no matter how human the prophets were (and all the attending frailties that go with that), they were men and women of prayer, the Word, and service to God and His people (42:4&version=NKJV&src=tools">Jer. 42:4; 22:15-17&version=NKJV&src=tools">2 Kings 22:15-17).
