(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today’s “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals a fascinating shift in how people referred to those who communicated with God. The fact that they used to say "seer" but now said "prophet" shows us that the language we use to describe spiritual leadership can evolve, and what's common today might have been a new term not so long ago. It highlights how God's people found ways to express their need to connect with Him, adapting their vocabulary as they went.
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today’s “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Before this chapter, Israel had recently suffered a humiliating defeat and loss of sacred objects to the Philistines, leaving them demoralized and looking for direction. Now, Saul's father, Kish, has lost his donkeys and sends Saul to find them, a seemingly ordinary quest that unexpectedly leads to a divine encounter. This verse explains the common practice of seeking God's guidance through a seer, setting the stage for Saul's momentous meeting with Samuel, the last of this line of prophets.
Ever wonder why the Bible sometimes uses different words for the same role? This verse gives us a fascinating peek behind the scenes of how people understood God's messengers.
In ancient Israel, the primary way people sought God's direct word was through individuals they called 'seers.' This term, 'seer,' highlights their function: they saw what others couldn't, receiving visions or direct insight from God.
However, the text tells us this title was changing. By the time of Samuel, the role was becoming more commonly known as a 'prophet.' While 'seer' emphasized the reception of divine information, 'prophet' often carried a broader sense, including speaking God's word forth to the people.
This shift shows us that even biblical terms can evolve. What mattered most was the person's connection to God and their willingness to be His voice, regardless of the label.
Before smartphones and instant access, how did people actually go about asking God for guidance? This verse reveals a very practical, grassroots approach.
When someone in Israel had a pressing need – like Saul looking for lost donkeys – their first instinct wasn't to wait for a sign or try to figure it out themselves. It was to seek God.
And how did they do that? They went to the 'seer.' This tells us that individuals with a recognized spiritual connection and ability to hear from God were highly valued and accessible. They were the spiritual resource centers of their communities.
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The phrase 'Come, let us go to the seer' implies a communal understanding and a shared practice. It wasn't just a rare, formal occasion, but a known way to navigate life's uncertainties.
Understand the original words
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun
A person who has divine insight, often seeing or perceiving things that are hidden from the normal human eye, specifically related to receiving revelation from God.
nabi' · Hebrew Noun
One who speaks for God, serving as a mouthpiece for divine communication, message, or prophecy to the people.
darash · Hebrew Verb
The act of seeking counsel, guidance, or revelation from God regarding a specific situation or future course of action.
This verse highlights a linguistic shift in how people referred to those who received divine messages, showing how language evolves even within biblical times.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel, the last of the great judges, anoints Saul as Israel's first king under divine direction. This marks a significant shift in Israel's governance from a decentralized system to a monarchy.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Seeks Lost Donkeys
Saul, searching for his father's lost donkeys, embarks on a journey that will lead him to Samuel.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Encounter with Samuel
Saul meets Samuel, who has been specifically informed by God about Saul's arrival and purpose. Samuel recognizes Saul as God's chosen leader.
c. 1050 BC
The Title
The text explicitly notes that the role of 'prophet' was previously known as 'seer,' indicating a transition in terminology for those who communicated God's message.
c. 1050 BC
Saul's Early Reign
Saul begins his kingship, facing challenges in consolidating power and leading Israel. His early interactions with Samuel are crucial.
This passage describes God's judgment on Eli's corrupt sons, highlighting the need for true, God-appointed prophetic leadership that was absent in that generation, contrasting with the seer role sought in 1 Samuel 9.
Deuteronomy 18:9-22This passage lays out the characteristics of a true prophet and the warnings against false ones, providing the theological framework for why people would seek out God's word through someone like a seer.
1 Kings 14:1-4This story shows Jeroboam's wife disguising herself to inquire of the prophet Ahijah, mirroring the search for divine guidance described in 1 Samuel 9 and illustrating the ongoing need for prophetic voices.
Acts 16:16-18This New Testament account of Paul encountering a slave girl with a spirit of divination demonstrates that the need to discern and confront spiritual powers, and the desire for truth, extends beyond the Old Testament era, even if the roles are now different.
This verse reveals a fascinating shift in how people referred to those who communicated with God. The fact that they used to say "seer" but now said "prophet" shows us that the language we use to describe spiritual leadership can evolve, and what's common today might have been a new term not so long ago. It highlights how God's people found ways to express their need to connect with Him, adapting their vocabulary as they went.
Before this chapter, Israel had recently suffered a humiliating defeat and loss of sacred objects to the Philistines, leaving them demoralized and looking for direction. Now, Saul's father, Kish, has lost his donkeys and sends Saul to find them, a seemingly ordinary quest that unexpectedly leads to a divine encounter. This verse explains the common practice of seeking God's guidance through a seer, setting the stage for Saul's momentous meeting with Samuel, the last of this line of prophets.
Before this chapter, Israel had recently suffered a humiliating defeat and loss of sacred objects to the Philistines, leaving them demoralized and looking for direction. Now, Saul's father, Kish, has lost his donkeys and sends Saul to find them, a seemingly ordinary quest that unexpectedly leads to a divine encounter. This verse explains the common practice of seeking God's guidance through a seer, setting the stage for Saul's momentous meeting with Samuel, the last of this line of prophets.
"(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today’s “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)" — This verse reveals a fascinating shift in how people referred to those who communicated with God. The fact that they used to say "seer" but now said "prophet" shows us that the language we use to…
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Last reviewed October 2026