We gather from several passages in Jewish history, that there were seminaries of prophets, i.e. the universities of the times, where youth were trained up to the mystery of prophesying. We find there were false prophets, nonconformists, not of the establishment; we find that even the true ones were liable to be imposed on by their brethren;** and we find moreover, by this instance, that prophets did not disdain to give assistance in their prophetical character, concerning domestic matters, for reasonable gratuities. A chief among the prophets, one who had been a judge over Israel, is applied to in a pecuniary way, for intelligence concerning lost cattle.***
*** Pretensions to divinations continue to this day, though, in the opinion of reformed churches, all prophesying and miracles have long since ceased. These modern prophets are drolly ridiculed by our facetious countryman, Butler, in the person of Sydrophel, a dealer,
"In Destiny's dark counsel?, Who sage opinions of the moon sells; To whom all people, far and near, On deep importances repair. When brass or pewter hap to stray, Or linen slinks out of the way; When geese and pullen are seduc'd, And sows of sucking pigs are chous'd: When cattle feel indisposition, And need th' opinion of physician; When murrain reigns in hogs or sheep, And chickens languish of the pip; When yeast and outward means do fail, And have no power to work on ale; When butter does refuse to come. And love proves cross and humoursome; To him with questions and with urine, They for discov'ry flock, or curing.
It has been said, that this is the only instance recorded of a prophet being applied to for purposes of this nature; but it appears that it was usual for men to have recourse to prophets, and that the phrase was, "Come, and let us go to the seer;"* and that prophetical intelligence was paid for, is evident from the inquiry between Saul and his servant, concerning their ability to gratify him.
But, to proceed: Saul not only found his asses, but a kingdom into the bargain; and had the spirit of the Lord given;*** to him which we find taken away**** again, when he proved untractable: though it seems somewhat odd, how he could possibly prove disobedient, while he acted under the influence of this Divine Spirit! For, the possibility being admitted, the advantage of inspiration is difficult to be conceived.