מלכים ב, פרק י״ז, פסוק י״ג

Throughout history, God made immense efforts to guide the people of Israel and Judah back to the right path before bringing any punishment upon them. Instead of striking immediately, He sent numerous messengers to deliver clear warnings. The nature of these warnings is deeply tied to the concept of bearing witness, as a proper caution is traditionally given in the presence of witnesses [מצודת דוד, רד"ק]. God sent many prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, to act in this capacity, cautioning the people about the severe consequences that would follow if they failed to change their ways [מלבי"ם].

These messengers were God's true prophets, standing in stark contrast to the false prophets of the era. God did not merely send them occasionally; He reached out to the people constantly, sending His messengers morning and night to urge them to repent [רד"ק]. The messengers are described not only as prophets but also as seers, a distinction understood in several ways. Some consider this a reference to the many different visions these messengers experienced [רש"י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others view it as a vital mark of authenticity. Because the title of prophet was sometimes adopted by false figures, like the prophets of Baal, the title of seer was reserved strictly for God's genuine messengers [מצודת דוד]. A third approach suggests a difference in spiritual rank. In this view, a seer stands at a higher prophetic level than a regular prophet; while a prophet might receive God's word through a dream, a seer experiences a clear and comprehensive vision [רלב"ג].

The central message from all these figures was a unified call to abandon destructive paths and observe God's commandments. Yet, the people stubbornly refused to listen. They hardened their hearts, mirroring the behavior of their ancestors who had fallen into idol worship and a lack of faith. Because of this stubborn refusal to hear God's voice, they faced a direct, measure-for-measure consequence. Just as they had completely ignored His warnings, God would not listen to their cries when they eventually called out to Him in times of deep distress [אברבנאל].