Interpretation of tongues in the local body is usually the equivalent of simple prophecy (for
edification, exhortation, and comfort) and contains no revelation in it.
The Word of Knowledge in the Old Testament
There were supernatural manifestations of the word of knowledge in the Old Testament as well
as in the New Testament. In fact, all the gifts of the Spirit were in operation in the Old
Testament except tongues and the interpretation of tongues. We will cover the reasons why
these two gifts were not included when we study them in a later chapter.
We do find all the other gifts of the Spirit — the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge,
special faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, and discerning of spirits —
manifested in the Old Testament. These gifts of the Spirit were manifested in the New
Testament first in the ministry of Jesus. Then after the Day of Pentecost, the gifts of the Spirit,
with tongues and interpretation of tongues as well, began to be manifested through Spirit-filled
believers.
Let's look at the gift of the word of knowledge and how it was manifested in the Old Testament.
The Word of Knowledge To Samuel Regarding Saul's Donkeys
We find in the Old Testament how the gift of the word of knowledge was used to help recover
lost property.
When Saul was out looking for his father's donkeys that had either strayed or were stolen,
someone said to him, "Why don't you go ask Samuel? He would know where they are."
1 SAMUEL 9:3,5,6,15,16,19,20
3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now
one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. ...
5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with
him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought
for us.
6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an
honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go... .
15 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and
thou shalt anoint him to be cap-tain over my people Israel, that he may save my people
out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is
come unto me.. ..
19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high
place; for ye shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all
that is in thine heart.
20 AND AS FOR THINE ASSES THAT WERE LOST THREE DAYS AGO, SET NOT THY
MIND ON THEM; FOR THEY ARE FOUND. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it
not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
Of course, Samuel only knew what God revealed to him, because if Samuel knew everything,
that would make him omniscient or all-knowing. Samue