HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 10. (GIDEAH.)-A company of proi:,hets. This is the first mention of "a company (cord, chain, or band) of prophets '(Nabhis). There were previously indi- vidual prophets. And on one occasion the seventy elders prophesied (Num. xi. 25), and Moses said," Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them." But until the time of Samuel' there was no association or community, colleg·e or school, of prophets. 1. His language shows his intimate relation to this "company," of which he was doubtless the founder, and appears subsequently as president (eh. xix. 20); for it is not likely that there were now several such "companies," as in later times (1 Kings xx. 35; 2 Kings ii. 3, 16; iv. 38). 2. Its formation was due to a newly-awakened religious life among tlie people, and intended as a means of deepening and extending it. 3. It arose about the same time as the establishment of the monarchy, and furnished a regular succession of prophets, by whom the word of the Lord was spoken for the guidance and restraint of the king. "Samuel saw the need of providing a new system of train- ing for those who should be his successors in the prophetic office, and formed into fixed societies the sharers of the mystic gift, which was plainly capable of cultiva- tion and enlargement. As it was a leading crisis of the dealings of God with men, unusual operations of the Spirit marked the time of Samuel; but they were not con- fined to him, though he is far the most conspicuous figure" (' Heroes of Heh. Hist.'). :X otice their- I. SPIRITUAL CALLING. They are called prophets with reference to their vocation or profession. But this was founded upon an individual and inner call by the Divine Spirit. Dwelling on the l,igh ground of Divine contemplation, they were often visited by breezes of spiritual influeuce to which others were strangers, borne along in an ecstasy beyond their own control, and impelled to give utterance to the overflowing foeling of their hearts; and some of their number were chosen by God to be the recipients of the gift of prophecy in the highest sense. Their calling represents that of the Christian ministry, and more generally the vocation of all Christians (Acts ii. 17; Epl,es. v. 18, 19). II. FRATERNAL UNION. They formed a" company," a voluntary, organised society, apparently dwelling togetlier in the same place, and pursuing the same mode of life. The hand of their union was the common spirit they possessed ; and their association eontributeci to their preservation and prosperity, and their power over others. "They presented the unifying, associative power of the prophetic spirit over against the disruption of the theocratic life, which was a legacy of the time of the judges .. (Erdmann). Of Christian union the like, and much more, may be said (John xvii. 21 ; Acts ii. 46; iv. 23). IJ I. MUSICAL SKILL. "And before them a psaltery ( cithara ), and a tabret ( tam- 1,ourine), and a pipe (flute), and a harp (guitar);" stringed, percussion, and wind i11struments of music (ver. 5; Gen. iv. 21; xxxi. 27; Exod. xv. 20). They mad_e a religious use of music, and cultivated it with great care. It prepared _them fo~ lugh and holy emotion (2 Kings iii_. 1~), and gave u~propriate expr~ss1on to_ 1t. !t strengthened the feeling to which 1t gave express10n, regulaled it, 'llnd ~tirred m otl,ers a similar feeling. Their sacred music was the germ of the splendid- chornl 8ervice of the temple in ~,,bsequent time. OB. X. 1-16.] THE FIRST BOOK OJI" SAMUEL.
" What passion cannot music raise and quell! When Juba! struck the chorded shell, His listening brethren stood around, And wonder on their faces fell, To worship that celestial sound ; Less than a god they thought there could not dwell Within the hollow of that shell, That spoke so sweetly and so well. What passion cannot music raise and quell!" (Dryden)
IV. PROPHETIC UTTERANCE. "And they shall prophesy." Poetry, like music, is the natural vehicle of strong emotion. And in it they recited and sang in an impassioned manner the praises of God, and the wonders which he had wrought on behalf of his people (1 Chron. xxv. 1, 3). V. POPULAR REPUTATION. The manner in which they were spoken of by the people generally (ver. 11) shows the important position they occupied, and the high estimation in which they were held. When the professed servants of God are so regarded-I. It is an evidence of their worth and consistency. They commend themselves to " every man's conscience." If, being faithful to their vocation, they are despised, it only reveals the evil character of their despisers; and it is not honour, but shame, to be commended by foolish and wicked men (Luke vi. 26). 2. It indicates the prevalence of a right sentiment in society. 3. It affords a favourable condition of bearing witness for God and successful spiritual labour.-D.