TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 12:16–25. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Two things Samuel here aims at: -
I.To convince the people of their sin in desiring a king.
They were now rejoicing before God in and with their king (Sa1 11:15), and offering to God the sacrifices of praise, which they hoped God would accept; and this perhaps made them think that there was no harm in their asking a king, but really they had done well in it. Therefore Samuel here charges it upon them as their sin, as wickedness, great wickedness in the sight of the Lord. Note, Though we meet with prosperity and success in a way of sin, yet we must not therefore think the more favourably of it. They have a king, and if they conduct themselves well their king may be a very great blessing to them, and yet Samuel will have them perceive and see that their wickedness was great in asking a king. We must never think well of that which God in his law frowns upon, though in his providence he may seem to smile upon it. Observe,
1.The expressions of God's displeasure against them for asking a king. At Samuel's word, God sent prodigious thunder and rain upon them, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was never seen or known before, Sa1 12:16-18. Thunder and rain have natural causes and sometimes terrible effects. But Samuel made it to appear that this was designed by the almighty power of God on purpose to convince them that they had done very wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming in an unusual time, in wheat-harvest, and this on a fair clear day, when there appeared not to the eye any signs of a storm, but by his giving notice of it before. Had there happened to be thunder and rain at the time when he was speaking to them, he might have improved it for their awakening and conviction, as we may in a like case; but, to make it no less than a miracle, before it came,
(1.)He spoke to them of it (Sa1 12:16, Sa1 12:17): Stand and see this great thing. He had before told them to stand and hear (Sa1 12:7); but, because he did not see that his reasoning with them affected them (so stupid were they and unthinking), now he bids them stand and see. If what he said in a still small voice did not reach their hearts, nor his doctrine which dropped as the dew, they shall hear God speaking to them in dreadful claps of thunder and the great rain of his strength. He appealed to this as a sign: "I will call upon the Lord, and he will send thunder, will send it just now, to confirm the word of his servant, and to make you see that I spoke truly when I told you that God was angry with you for asking a king." And the event proved him a true prophet; the sign and wonder came to pass.
(2.)He spoke to God for it. Samuel called unto the Lord, and, in answer to his prayer, even while he was yet speaking, the Lord sent thunder and rain. By this Samuel made it to appear, not only what a powerful influence God has upon this earth, that he could, of a sudden, when natural causes did not work towards it, produce this dreadful rain and thunder, and bring them out of his treasures (Psa 135:7), but also what a powerful interest he had in heaven, that God would thus hearken to the voice of a man (Jos 10:14) and answer him in the secret place of thunder, Psa 81:7. Samuel, that son of prayer, was still famous for success in prayer. Now by this extraordinary thunder and rain sent on this occasion,
[1.]God testified his displeasure against them in the same way in which he had formerly testified it, and at the prayer of Samuel too, against the Philistines. The Lord discomfited them with a great thunder, Sa1 7:10. Now that Israel rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit, he turned to be their enemy, and fought against them with the same weapons which, not long before, had been employed against their adversaries, Isa 63:10.
[2.]He showed them their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God or Samuel, promising themselves more from an arm of flesh than from the arm of God or from the power of prayer. Could their king thunder with a voice like God? Job 40:9. Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could by his prayers?
[3.]He intimated to them that how serene and prosperous soever their condition seemed to be now that they had a king, like the weather in wheat-harvest, yet, if God pleased, he could soon change the face of their heavens, and persecute them with his tempest, as the Psalmist speaks.
2.The impressions which this made upon the people. It startled them very much, as well it might.
(1.)They greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. Though when they had a king they were ready to think they must fear him only, God made them know that he is greatly to be feared and his prophets for his sake. Now they were rejoicing in their king, God taught them to rejoice with trembling.
(2.)They owned their sin and folly in desiring a king: We have added to all our sins this evil, Sa1 12:19. Some people will not be brought to a sight of their sins by any gentler methods than storms and thunders. Samuel did not extort this confession from them till the matter was settled and the king confirmed, lest it should look as if he designed by it rather to establish himself in the government than to bring them to repentance. Now that they were flattering themselves in their own eyes, their iniquity was found to be hateful, Psa 36:2.
(3.)They earnestly begged Samuel's prayers (Sa1 12:19): Pray for thy servants, that we die not. They were apprehensive of their danger from the wrath of God, and could not expect that he should hear their prayers for themselves, and therefore they entreat Samuel to pray for them. Now they see their need of him whom awhile ago they slighted. Thus many that will not have Christ to reign over them would yet be glad to have him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of God. And the time may come when those that have despised and ridiculed praying people will value their prayers, and desire a share in them. "Pray" (say they) "to the Lord thy God; we know not how to call him ours, but, if thou hast any interest in him, improve it for us."
II.He aims to confirm the people in their religion, and engage them for ever to cleave unto the Lord.
The design of his discourse is much the same with Joshua's, Jos 23:1 and Jos 24:1.
1.He would not that the terrors of the Lord should frighten them from him, for they were intended to frighten them to him (Sa1 12:20): "Fear not; though you have done all this wickedness, and though God is angry with you for it, yet do not therefore abandon his service, nor turn from following him." Fear not, that is, "despair not, fear not with amazement, the weather will clear up after the storm. Fear not; for, though God will frown upon his people, yet he will not forsake them (Sa1 12:22) for his great name's sake; do not you forsake him then." Every transgression in the covenant, though it displease the Lord, yet does not throw us out of covenant, and therefore God's just rebukes must not drive us from our hope in his mercy. The fixedness of God's choice is owing to the freeness of it; we may therefore hope he will not forsake his people, because it has pleased him to make them his people. Had he chosen them for their good merits, we might fear he would cast them off for their bad merits; but, choosing them for his name's sake, for his name's sake he will not leave them.
2.He cautions them against idolatry: "Turn not aside from God and the worship of him" (Sa1 12:20, and again Sa1 12:21); "for if you turn aside from God, whatever you turn aside to, you will find it is a vain thing, that can never answer your expectations, but will certainly deceive you if you trust to it; it is a broken reed, a broken cistern." Idols could not profit those that sought to them in their wants, nor deliver those that sought to them in their straits, for they were vain, and not what they pretended to be. An idol is nothing in the world, Co1 8:4.
3.He comforts them with an assurance that he would continue his care and concern for them, Sa1 12:23. They desired him to pray for them, Sa1 12:19. He might have said, "Go to Saul, the king that you have put in my room," and get him to pray for you; but so far is he from upbraiding them with their disrespect to him that he promised them much more than they asked.
(1.)They asked it of him as a favour; he promised it as a duty, and startles at the thought of neglecting it. Pray for you! says he, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in not doing it. Note, It is a sin against God not to pray for the Israel of God, especially for those of them that are under our charge: and good men are afraid of the guilt of omissions.
(2.)They asked him to pray for them at this time, and upon this occasion, but he promised to continue his prayers for them and to cease as long as he lived. Our rule is to pray without ceasing; we sin if we restrain prayer in general, and in particular if we cease praying for the church.
(3.)They asked him only to pray for them, but he promised to do more for them, not only to pray for them, but to teach them; though they were not willing to be under his government as a judge, he would not therefore deny them his instructions as a prophet. And they might be sure he would teach them no other than the good and the right way: and the right way is certainly the good way: the way of duty is the way of pleasure and profit.
4.He concludes with an earnest exhortation to practical religion and serious godliness, Sa1 12:24, Sa1 12:25. The great duty here pressed upon us is to fear the Lord. He had said (Sa1 12:20), "Fear not with a slavish fear," but here, "Fear the Lord, with a filial fear." As the fruit and evidence of this, serve him in the duties of religious worship and of a godly conversation, in truth and sincerity, and not in show and profession only, with your heart, and with all your heart, not dissembling, not dividing. And two things he urges by way of motive: - (1.) That they were bound in gratitude to serve God, considering what great things he had done for them, to engage them for ever to his service. (2.) That they were bound in interest to serve him, considering what great things he would do against them if they should still do wickedly: "You shall be destroyed by the judgments of God, both you and your king whom you are so proud of and expect so much from, and who will be a blessing to you if you keep in with God." Thus, as a faithful watchman, he gave them warning, and so delivered his own soul.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
That mighty deed Samuel is said to have accomplished through prayer is something that everyone who genuinely relies on God can accomplish spiritually even now, since he has become worthy of being heard.… For every saint and genuine disciple of Jesus is told by the Lord, “Lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life.” In this time of harvest the Lord does “a great thing” before the eyes of those who hear the prophets. For when the one adorned with the Holy Spirit calls to the Lord, God gives from heaven thunder and rain that waters the soul, so that he who once was in evil may stand in great awe of the Lord and his minister of goodness, manifested as venerable and august by the requests that are heard. And Elijah, who shut up heaven for the wicked for three and a half years, later opened it. This, too, is always accomplished for everyone who through prayer receives the rain of the soul, since the heavens were previously deprived of it because of his sin.
As a matter of fact, the works Moses did, Samuel did too. Moses resisted God and prevented him from destroying his people when God said to him, “Let me alone, that I may strike this people.” Just see the power of Moses! What does God say to him? Let me alone; you are compelling me, your prayers, as it were, restrain me; your prayers hold back my hand. I shoot an arrow; I hurl a javelin; and your prayers are the shield of the people. Let me alone that I might strike down this people. Along with this, consider the compassionate kindness of God. When he says, “Let me alone,” he shows that if Moses will continue to importune him, he will not strike. If you, too, will not let me alone, I shall not strike; let me alone, and I shall strike. In other words, what does he say? Do not cease your persistent entreaty, and I shall not strike.Let us see if Samuel persistently importuned God in this way. We read in the book of Kings [Samuel] that he prevented God from venting his wrath against the people, and although it was harvest time, the Lord sent rain, thunder and lightning. What does Scripture say in Samuel? “And there came hailstones and struck down the Philistines.” See how wise the fire, how wise the hail! Where Samuel is, the thunderbolts do not dare to strike, for they see the prophet of God, they see the Levite. Samuel’s hands were threatening the thunderbolts. He was praying, and the lightning strokes were held back. Why have I said all this? Because Moses and Aaron and Samuel with different titles performed the same mighty deeds. Let us bless the Lord to whom be glory forever and ever.
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Summary
In 1 Samuel 12:16, the prophet Samuel issues a solemn and imperative command to the assembled Israelites, urging them to "stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes." This declaration serves as a dramatic prelude to a miraculous divine demonstration—thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest—intended to underscore the gravity of Israel's decision to reject God's direct rule in favor of a human king, validate Samuel's prophetic authority, and call the nation back to a renewed fear and obedience to the Lord.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a pivotal moment within Samuel's farewell address to the nation of Israel, delivered after they have insisted on having a king, thereby rejecting God's direct rule over them, as recounted in 1 Samuel 8:7. Having just crowned Saul as their first monarch, Samuel uses this solemn occasion to vindicate his own integrity and blameless service to the nation, as detailed in 1 Samuel 12:3-5, and to warn the people about the severe consequences of forsaking the LORD. To drive his message home and provide an undeniable sign of God's displeasure and continued sovereignty, Samuel prepares to call upon God for a miraculous sign, specifically thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season, an event highly unusual and indicative of direct divine intervention, which immediately follows in 1 Samuel 12:17-18.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical setting is the transition period in Israel from a theocracy governed by judges to a monarchy. Israel's desire for a king was rooted in their wish to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), a direct violation of the spirit of the Mosaic covenant which set them apart as God's unique people. The specific sign of thunder and rain during the wheat harvest (typically May-June) was culturally significant because this was the driest part of the year, making such precipitation an extraordinary, unnatural event. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, control over weather phenomena was often attributed to deities, and a prophet's ability to command such an event was irrefutable proof of his divine backing and the power of his God. This dramatic display served to dismantle any lingering pagan influences or reliance on Baal, a Canaanite storm god, and to reassert the exclusive sovereignty of Yahweh.
Key Themes
The verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty and Judgment, preparing the people for an undeniable display of God's power and His displeasure with their demand for a king, even as He grants it. This "great thing" is not merely a wonder but a sign of God's active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate authority over creation and nations. Secondly, it underscores Prophetic Authority and Vindication. Samuel's ability to call upon God for such a specific and immediate sign validates his role as God's true prophet and spokesman, confirming that his warnings and words are indeed from the Lord. Even as his judicial era concludes, his prophetic voice remains potent and divinely backed, as seen in his earlier pronouncements in 1 Samuel 7:13. Thirdly, the command to "stand and see" functions as a Call to Attention and Observation. It is an imperative for the people to pay close attention, urging them to be active observers of God's work, not passive spectators, so they might fully comprehend the significance of what is about to transpire before their very eyes, leading to repentance and a renewed commitment to the covenant, echoing the call to "consider how great things He has done for you" in 1 Samuel 12:24.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This imperative verb signifies more than merely being on one's feet. It implies taking a posture of readiness, attention, and firm resolve, often used for presenting oneself or taking a stand. Samuel is not inviting casual observation but demanding a focused, intentional posture of presence and receptivity to what God is about to do. It suggests a call to cease all other activity and fully engage with the divine revelation, to "stand fast" or "stand up" in anticipation.
While literally meaning "to see with the eyes," rāʾāh often carries a deeper connotation of perceiving, understanding, or experiencing. It's not just about visual perception but about comprehending the significance and implications of what is witnessed. Samuel is calling them to not only observe the physical phenomenon but to grasp its spiritual meaning—God's power, His displeasure, and His continued sovereignty, urging them to "discern" and "take heed."
This adjective is highly significant, meaning "great (in any sense)," "mighty," "awesome," or "magnificent." Applied to the "thing" (dâbâr) God will do, it elevates the impending event beyond a mere trick or natural occurrence, emphasizing its divine origin and extraordinary nature. It points to a deed of immense spiritual and physical impact, designed to instill awe and fear of the LORD, underscoring the magnitude of God's power and the seriousness of their sin.
Verse Breakdown
"Now therefore stand and see"
This opening phrase functions as a solemn and urgent command from Samuel, acting as God's prophet. The "Now therefore" (H1571, gam) connects back to Samuel's preceding discourse, which has laid out Israel's history of disobedience and God's faithfulness, serving as a logical conclusion to his argument. The dual imperatives "stand" (H3320, yâtsab) and "see" (H7200, râʼāh) demand the Israelites' full, undivided attention and active observation. They are called to position themselves both physically and mentally to witness a profound divine act, emphasizing that this is not a casual event but a moment of critical revelation.
"this great thing"
This refers specifically to the miraculous sign Samuel is about to call down from heaven: thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season (as described in 1 Samuel 12:17-18). It is a powerful, undeniable demonstration of God's power over creation and His direct intervention in human affairs. The term "great" (H1419, gâdôwl) and "thing" (H1697, dâbâr) highlights its extraordinary, supernatural nature, designed to instill awe and fear of the Lord.
"which the LORD will do before your eyes"
This clause explicitly attributes the impending miracle to Yahweh (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the covenant God of Israel, not to Samuel's own power. It emphasizes divine agency (H6213, ʻâsâh, "will do") and the public, undeniable nature of the event. The phrase "before your eyes" (H5869, ʻayin) ensures that the miracle is witnessed by the entire assembly, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation regarding its divine origin and purpose. It is a direct, visible manifestation of God's presence and power, intended to bring conviction and repentance.
Literary Devices
Samuel's command in this verse is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood ("stand and see"), which conveys urgency, authority, and a direct call to action, demanding the Israelites' immediate and full attention. This serves to heighten the dramatic tension before the impending divine manifestation. The verse also employs Foreshadowing, building anticipation for the "great thing" that the LORD is about to do, which is revealed in the subsequent verses as the miraculous thunder and rain. This creates a sense of suspense and emphasizes the inevitability of God's intervention. Furthermore, the phrase "which the LORD will do before your eyes" is an example of Divine Manifestation or Theophany (though indirect), as it promises a visible, tangible demonstration of God's power and presence. The entire address can be seen as a form of Rhetorical Persuasion, where Samuel uses both logical argumentation (recounting Israel's history) and a dramatic, supernatural sign to convince the people of their sin and God's enduring sovereignty. The contrast between Israel's desire for a human king and God's impending supernatural act also creates a subtle Dramatic Irony, as they sought human stability but are about to be confronted with overwhelming divine power.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Samuel 12:16 is a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history, even when humanity deviates from His ideal will. It underscores the principle that God, in His sovereignty, can use extraordinary means to reveal His power, validate His prophets, and call His people to account. This "great thing" serves as a divine object lesson, demonstrating that while Israel desired a king, the ultimate authority and power remained with the LORD. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even as He allows the consequences of human choices to unfold. The call to "stand and see" is a timeless invitation to acknowledge God's hand in both judgment and grace, recognizing that His works are always purposeful and designed to draw His people back into right relationship with Him.
Reflection and Application
The command to "stand and see" in 1 Samuel 12:16 resonates deeply with believers today, urging us to cultivate a posture of active spiritual discernment and attentiveness. In a world filled with distractions and competing narratives, we are called to pause, to "stand," and to observe God's ongoing work around us and within us. This means not merely acknowledging God's existence but actively seeking to perceive His hand in the unfolding of events—His providence, His warnings, His acts of grace, and His calls to repentance. Just as the Israelites were confronted with an undeniable display of God's power, we too are invited to recognize the "great things" He is doing, whether through overt miracles, subtle interventions, or the consistent working of His Word in our lives. Such recognition should lead to humility, a renewed fear of the Lord, and a deeper commitment to obedience, reminding us that even when we make choices that deviate from His perfect will, God remains sovereign and actively engaged, calling us back to Himself.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samuel call for thunder and rain during the wheat harvest?
Samuel called for thunder and rain during the wheat harvest season (typically May-June) because this was the driest time of the year in Israel. Rain during this period was highly unusual and considered an unnatural phenomenon, making its occurrence a clear and undeniable act of divine intervention. It served as a dramatic, visible sign from God, validating Samuel's prophetic authority and demonstrating Yahweh's absolute power over nature, directly countering any reliance on pagan storm gods like Baal. This extraordinary event was intended to underscore the gravity of Israel's sin in rejecting God as their king and to instill a profound fear of the Lord, as mentioned in Proverbs 26:1 where rain in harvest is considered unseemly.
What was the "great thing" Samuel was referring to?
The "great thing" Samuel was referring to was the miraculous sign of thunder and rain that immediately followed his command, as recorded in 1 Samuel 12:17-18. This was not merely a natural weather event but a divinely orchestrated display of power, occurring precisely at Samuel's word and at an unseasonal time. It served as a tangible, undeniable demonstration of God's continued sovereignty over creation and His active judgment, even as He allowed Israel to have a king. It was a sign intended to bring conviction to the people regarding their sin of rejecting God's direct rule.
How does this event relate to Israel's demand for a king?
This event is directly related to Israel's demand for a king because it served as God's powerful, public response to their rejection of His direct rule. Samuel had previously warned them about the consequences of having a king (1 Samuel 8:10-18), and this miraculous sign was a divine validation of those warnings. It demonstrated that even though God had granted their request for a human monarch, He remained their ultimate King and Judge. The thunder and rain during the dry harvest were meant to humble the people, make them realize the seriousness of their sin, and remind them that their true security and prosperity depended not on a human king, but on their continued obedience and fear of the LORD, as Samuel emphasizes in 1 Samuel 12:24-25.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The "great thing" Samuel called the Israelites to "stand and see" in 1 Samuel 12:16 was a powerful, albeit temporary, demonstration of God's sovereignty and judgment, pointing to His active presence in the world. This foreshadows the ultimate "great thing" that God would do, not merely before the eyes of one generation, but for all humanity, in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Samuel's sign was a warning against rejecting God's rule, Christ's coming is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, a definitive revelation of His power, grace, and love. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the one through whom God has spoken to us in these last days. His miracles, His perfect life, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection are the "greatest things" God has done "before our eyes," inviting not just observation but faith and worship. The call to "stand and see" finds its ultimate echo in the New Testament's invitation to behold Christ—the image of the invisible God, in whom all the fullness of God dwells. Through Him, God has accomplished a work far greater than any rainstorm, a work that reconciles all things to Himself, leading to a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.