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Oracles were used as a means of political influence. Rulers and military leaders often cited the interpretation that they favored in order to promote their own personal interests and undertakings, thereby giving such a "divine cloak." However, God's prophetic messages were given without deference to personal considerations.

To illustrate: Jehovah's prophet Nathan did not hold back from reproving erring King David. (2Samuel 12:1-12) During the reign of Jeroboam II over the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, the prophets Hosea and Amos delivered stern criticism to the rebellious king and his supporters because of their apostasy and God-dishonoring conduct. (Hosea 5:1-7; Amos 2:6-8) Especially caustic was Jehovah's warning to then king by the mouth of the prophet Amos: "I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with a sword." (Amos 7:9) Jeroboam's house was annihilated.-1Kings 15:25-30; 2Chronicles 13:20.

Most of the time, oracles were given for a price. The one who paid more would receive the oracle he liked. Those consulting the oracles at Delphi paid dearly for worthless information, thereby filling the temple of Apollo and additional edifices with great treasures. In contrast, Bible prophecies and warnings were given without cost and with no partiality whatsoever. That was the case regardless of the position or wealth of the person to whom they were directed, for a true prophet could not be bribed. The prophet and judge Samuel could sincerely ask: "From whose hand have I accepted hush money that I should hide my eyes with it?"- 1Samuel 12:3.

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