From Adam to the Messiah

Why were the prophets treated in this manner? One reason for this was their criticism of current practices, especially of the established religious authorities, the priesthood. People love being praised and loathe nothing more than being criticised. The prophets exposed the difference between right and wrong, making no compromise with their people. They were persistently pointing out the faults in people’s beliefs and actions. Consequently, people turned against them. If the prophets had taught what everyone wanted to hear, they would never have been treated this way. Although this was the fate of most of the prophets, a few of them were spared, Joseph, Solomon and David being names that immediately spring to mind. But the power and prestige these prophets acquired were not due to the popularity of their teachings; they had an entirely separate origin. David was a young soldier in the army of the Israelites under King Saul when the Israelites and Philistines went to war with each other. Among the army of Philistines was the giant Goliath. So powerful a fighter was he that no one was prepared to battle with him. King Saul then announced he would marry his daughter to anyone who slew Goliath. David came forward, challenged the giant, and killed him. In this way, he became the son-in-law of the King of Israel. In a subsequent war, King Saul and his heir apparent were killed in battle. David was thereupon crowned King of Israel. Solomon was David’s son and succeeded to his father’s throne. As for Joseph, God endowed him with the ability