1 Samuel 19:20, commentary and pictures

Saul sent men to seize David, but when they reached Samuel standing as appointed leader over a company of prophets speaking under inspiration, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers and they also prophesied instead of carrying out their errand. God in this way restrained Saul's anger and protected David by a guard of angels, causing the messengers to speak of things to come and proclaim the glory and majesty of Jehovah. When Saul himself came in pursuit he too was overcome by the Spirit and prophesied with them for a time, forgetting his hostility under another influence, yet he did not hold what he received and afterward resumed his pursuit of David. The company was one of the schools of the prophets established by Samuel at Ramah, an ordered community under his oversight where young men studied God's word and works, praised God, shared in useful labor, and were taught by men who knew divine truth and had communion with God in order to become pious and intelligent leaders. These schools remain the standard and pattern for education founded on the word of God, training youth in Scripture, in living connection with heaven, and in practical service for missionary and Christian work.

Setting and Event

Saul sent messengers to seize David, but when they saw Samuel standing as appointed over a company of prophets prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers and they also prophesied instead of carrying out their purpose. The school where this company gathered under Samuel was the school of the prophets, where young men studied God's word and works and where instructors served with a special endowment of His Spirit. It was a place of studying Scripture and praising God, a special school for receiving the Holy Spirit's power so that testimony could be carried to willing listeners.

God overruled Saul's anger in this encounter, restraining evil and protecting David with a guard of angels. The messengers spoke of what would happen and proclaimed Jehovah's glory and majesty. The school where Samuel oversaw the company was at Ramah, and another school of the prophets was at Kirjath-jearim, where the ark then was.

When Saul himself came in pursuit of David to the prophets, the Spirit of God also came upon him and he prophesied with them, for a time forgetting his hostility and purpose and acting under a different spirit. The Spirit's presence among the prophets took hold of Saul when he arrived, and his search brought him to join the prophets in prophesying. Saul likewise forgot his purpose and prophesied with the prophets when he encountered them.

Saul's prophesying was only temporary; he did not hold on to the influence, and afterward he resumed pursuing David. It did not give him the lasting spiritual character needed for faithful service. Remaining under the influence could have brought him to an excellent condition, but he did not remain. The prophets prayed until the Spirit rested upon them, and then they went out to share the light God had given them.

Schools of the Prophets

The company seen prophesying under Samuel illustrates the schools he established to protect young people from corruption, to promote the moral and spiritual welfare of Israel, and to teach young people God's word so as to prepare pious, intelligent leaders and counselors for service. In these schools young men sought deeper knowledge of Scripture and wisdom from God, studying God's word and His works until they gained a thorough knowledge of Scripture. Their instructors were men who knew divine truth, who had communion with God, and who served with a special endowment of His Spirit.

The school was a place of studying Scripture and praising God, a special school for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit so that those taught could carry their testimony to willing listeners. Its transforming influence was eagerly sought to bring thoughts into harmony with God's will and to establish a living connection between earth and heaven. Students taught by God in the prophets' school could thus receive His Spirit, so that the Spirit was manifested among the company and even the young men prophesied.

It was an ordered, spiritually directed community under Samuel's appointed oversight and leadership, with a company of prophets prophesying under his direction in the Spirit's presence. In the ancient schools teachers and students combined useful physical work with instruction, thereby preparing students for practical duties.

Model for Christian Schools

The company of prophets prophesying under Samuel's oversight sets the standard and pattern for education founded on the word of God, a standard that contemporary schools fall short of. Church schools and religious schools are to be built on the same principles and order as those ancient schools, and divine help will attend their work when they are built up in that pattern. In that pattern the Word of God is foundational, and teachers under spiritual leadership guide students in faithful learning and work. The model calls for educating children and others in Scripture along with other subjects, with teachers serving both students and fellow teachers.

These schools are the model for training schools that prepare young people for missionary service and Christian work. They show how to train teachers and workers and how to develop people for useful service. They also give the pattern for establishing smaller schools in many places rather than concentrating educational facilities in one location. In this way godly influence is supplied in important centers, and the same pattern is to guide publishing houses, sanitariums, and schools so that they help people develop character without hindering the work of the Holy Spirit.

The verse presents a spiritually directed community in which the Spirit's presence permeates and sanctifies every branch of learning, and this is the pattern for conducting a school on a high spiritual plane. Educators are urged to restore in their own schools the spirituality found in the school of the prophets. When schools are built like the schools of the prophets, angels help teachers in service done to God's glory. When students are faithful and consecrated, their influence helps the work of the institution rather than undermining it, as seen when even Saul's messengers were overtaken by God's Spirit among the company and prophesied. The company gathered with Samuel overseeing them is thus the model for schools devoted to earnest study of Bible truth, where such study draws students near to God and shapes their interests and desires away from worldly amusement toward becoming like Jesus.