Bear in mind the circumstances of the "state" prophets in the stories of Elijah and Jeremiah. Elijah and Jeremiah were often opposed by prophets who had official sanction. Elijah, Elisha, and others did their job as God's representatives, ethical critics and so forth without being tied to the state, while those who were within the "establishment" compromised, distorted the Law and made up tales to gain approval. Nathan could speak effectively to David because he was God's prophet, not the king's prophet.
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