Biblical Studies (9484) | Early prophets: Samuel, Nathan, Gad and Elijah

A-LEVEL BIBLICAL STUDIES (9484) PAPER 3: PROPHETS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Topic 3.2: Early Prophets: Samuel, Nathan, Gad and Elijah

Welcome to this crucial section of Paper 3! We are moving beyond the general nature of prophecy (Topic 3.1) and focusing on the earliest, most powerful figures who shaped the relationship between God, prophet, and the monarchy in Israel.

These four figures—Samuel, Nathan, Gad, and Elijah—didn't just deliver messages; they fundamentally changed Israel's political and religious structure. Understanding their roles is key to scoring high on analysis (AO2) questions about prophetic power and historical context.

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1. Samuel: The Kingmaker and Prophetic Pioneer (3.2.1)

Samuel stands at the intersection of two eras: the time of the Judges and the establishment of the Monarchy. His life and work define the start of the prophetic tradition's involvement in the court.

Samuel's Place in the Prophetic Tradition

Samuel's identity is complex; he acts as a priest, a judge, and a prophet (seer). He bridges the older religious structure with the new one centered around kings.

• Local Seer based at Ramah: Originally, Samuel was known as a local religious figure. The term seer (roeh or hozeh) referred to someone who could "see" what was hidden—a visionary who could guide people, often for a fee (1 Samuel 9:9).
• Man of God: This title emphasizes his close relationship and access to divine knowledge, separating him from common religious figures.
• Bands of Prophets: Samuel is associated with groups (guilds) of prophets in the high places (1 Samuel 10:10). This shows prophecy was becoming a communal, organized activity.

Prophetic Involvement with Kings and Court

Samuel's most significant contribution was his involvement in the creation and control of the monarchy.

A. Election of Saul (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16; 10:17–11:15):

The transition to monarchy was not smooth. God chose Saul through Samuel, demonstrating that the prophet held authority superior to the king—the king was anointed by and thus answerable to Yahweh, through the prophet.

• Samuel's Encounter with Saul (1 Sam 9): Saul goes looking for lost donkeys and ends up meeting Samuel, who had already been divinely instructed to anoint him as nāgīd (prince/leader).
• Public Election (1 Sam 10:17ff): Samuel officially confirms Saul's kingship before the people.

B. Rejection of Saul (1 Samuel 15:10-35):

The prophet acts as a veto power against the king. Saul fails to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. Samuel declares God's rejection of Saul, cementing the idea that the king's power is conditional upon obedience to God's law.

• Key Quote: "Obedience is better than sacrifice." (1 Sam 15:22). This highlights the prophetic focus on moral action over ritual.

C. Anointing of David (1 Samuel 16:1-13):

Samuel secretly anoints David, confirming his role as the instrument of God's will and preparing the way for the great dynasty of Israel.

The Historical Reliability Debate (AO2)

The Issue: How reliable is the portrait of Samuel? Is he described accurately, or is his image "idealised" (made perfect or exaggerated) by later writers?

Later biblical editors, keen to legitimize David’s dynasty and emphasize God's control over kings, likely merged several older traditions (seer, judge, priest) into one heroic figure. The accounts sometimes conflict (e.g., was Saul chosen privately by Samuel or publicly by lot?).

Conclusion: Samuel is likely an idealised portrait, representing the powerful transition figure needed to manage the volatile shift from tribal structure to centralised kingship, always ensuring the prophetic word remained sovereign.

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2. Nathan and Gad: The Court Watchdogs (3.2.2)

Once the monarchy was established under David, prophets continued to operate within the court system. Nathan and Gad exemplify the role of the Court Prophet—a royal advisor who acts as a crucial check on the king's behaviour.

Nathan: Advisor and Critic

Nathan is famous for two major interactions with King David.

A. Consultation on the Temple (2 Samuel 7:1-29):

David wished to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant. Nathan initially approves, but God speaks to Nathan overnight, changing the plan. Nathan must deliver God's message (the Davidic Covenant): not David, but his son, will build the temple. This confirms Nathan as a genuine mouthpiece of God, even when it means correcting the king's plans.

B. Criticism over Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11:2–12:25):

This is Nathan's most famous moment, demonstrating unparalleled prophetic courage. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite.

• Technique: Telling Parables (2 Sam 12:1-4): Nathan uses a story about a rich man stealing a poor man's only lamb. This technique allows David to pass judgement on the hypothetical crime, only for Nathan to apply the judgement to David himself: "You are the man!"
• Consequence: Nathan delivers the oracle of judgement—disaster will fall upon David's house. This proves the court prophet was not merely a 'yes man' but a divine accountant, demanding justice from the most powerful man in the kingdom.

Gad: The King's Seer

Gad, described as David's seer, also exercises prophetic control over the king.

David's Census (2 Samuel 24:1-2, 10-17):

When David conducts a military census (often seen as a lack of faith in God's protection or an overreach of royal power), God sends Gad to present David with a choice of three punishments (famine, war, or plague). Gad dictates the terms of the punishment and guides David in building an altar to appease God.

Did you know? The prophetic roles of Nathan (speaking on immediate spiritual/moral issues) and Gad (visionary guidance) show that even early royal courts had different types of prophetic specialists.

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3. Elijah: The Preserver of Yahweh Worship (3.2.3)

Elijah (and his successor Elisha) operated in the Northern Kingdom (Israel) during a period of intense syncretism (mixing religions), particularly under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah was not a court official like Nathan; he was an outsider, a radical zealot.

Confrontation with the Monarchy (Ahab and Jezebel)

Elijah's primary goal was to preserve the pure worship of Yahweh against the state-sponsored worship of the Canaanite god Baal (the god of storm and fertility), promoted heavily by Queen Jezebel.

A. Showdown on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40):

This famous contest is the ultimate display of prophetic power and proof of Yahweh’s supremacy. Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to a test: which god can ignite a soaked sacrifice?

• The prophets of Baal fail, illustrating that their god has no power.
• Elijah calls on Yahweh, who answers with fire, demonstrating Yahweh is the true King and source of power.
• Immediately following the victory, Elijah predicts and witnesses the end of the long drought (1 Kings 18:41-46), proving that Yahweh, not Baal, controls the rain.

Elijah's Use of Miracles to Show Prophetic Power

Elijah’s ministry is heavily associated with miraculous signs, reinforcing that his power comes directly from God and serves as a challenge to the monarchy’s idolatry.

• Feeding the Hungry (1 Kings 17:8-16): Multiplying the meal and oil for the widow of Zarephath.
• Power over Life and Death (1 Kings 17:17-24): Raising the widow’s son from the dead. This miracle reinforces the concept that Yahweh is sovereign over life and fate, a power the Baal cult claimed for its deities.
• Succession (2 Kings 2:1-14): Elijah divides the waters of the Jordan with his mantle and is dramatically taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. His spirit falls upon his disciple, Elisha, confirming the legitimate transfer of prophetic power.

Elijah's Concern with Social Justice

Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab extends beyond religion into moral and social issues, linking faithfulness to Yahweh with ethical behaviour.

Naboth's Vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-29):

King Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard. Queen Jezebel fabricates charges against Naboth, leading to his execution and Ahab seizing the land. This act violates the core covenant laws protecting inheritance and life.

• Elijah confronts Ahab, pronouncing judgement: not only will Ahab and Jezebel face destruction, but the social injustice (murder and theft) committed by the crown is what triggers Yahweh’s wrath.

The Historical Reliability Debate (AO2)

Like Samuel, Elijah’s portrait presents challenges. The accounts of Elijah are filled with dramatic, supernatural elements (raising the dead, ascending to heaven).

• Idealised View: Later Jewish tradition heavily idealised Elijah, viewing him as the archetypal prophet who never died and would return before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). The miracle stories serve to dramatically illustrate Yahweh’s absolute power and victory over Baal.
• Historical Core: Historically, Elijah likely represents a dedicated Yahwist religious movement that resisted foreign religious influence and pushed for ethical standards in the Northern Kingdom. The stories are designed to teach religious truth: Yahweh alone is God.

Mnemonics to Remember the Four Early Prophets:
Some Nice Guys Exist
Samuel, Nathan, Gad, Elijah