We read in the First Book of Samuel that he "who was then called a prophet was before time called a seer." (1 Samuel 9:9) I think it is very remarkable, however, that there is this striking difference between the two names, in that we find the word seer made use of as being the king's seer, but when the name of prophet is used, it is said "the prophet of the Lord." Thus of Samuel it is said that"all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord." (1 Samuel 3:20) But concerning the name of seer, we find frequent mention made of this character, not as the Lord's seer, but the king's; thus Gad is called the prophet Gad, but expressly said to be David's seer; (see 2 Samuel 24:11) So Heman is called the king's seer, though he is not said to have been a prophet of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 25:5) I do not presume to explain the circumstances wherein the difference lies. Some have thought that a seer was only a recorder of the events of the king's reign. A prophet was one who acted in the Lords name, and by the Lord's authority. The offices in this ease no doubt differed, but, as in the instance of Gad, reign, be performed by one and the same person. But I add no farther observations on the subject.