11 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, (2 Kings 17:13)

Is there a difference between a prophet and a Seer?

All true seers are prophets, but not all prophets are seers. The word seer describes a particular type of prophet who receives a particular type of prophetic revelation or impartation. When it comes to prophetic revelation, a prophet is primarily an inspired hearer and then speaker, while a seer is primarily visual. In other words, the prophet is the communicative dimension, and the seer is the receptive dimension.

they followed idols, became idolaters…(2 Kings 17:15)

The general principle is, “You become like what you follow”. “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” (Exodus 23:2) We are often motivated or influenced by what is popular or what the majority is doing. God’s Word warns us not to follow a crowd to do evil. Notice that if the crowd is doing good, you can follow it. For example, if a crowd of people are going to a gospel outreach, you can go there.

So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.” (2 Kings 17:26)

The Assyrians were familiar with the concept of territorial spirits. Notice their reference to the God of the land.

Chapter 17