1 Samuel 12:17

KJV

[Is it] not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness [is] great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

KJV (with Strong's)

Is it not wheat {H2406} harvest {H7105} to day {H3117}? I will call {H7121} unto the LORD {H3068}, and he shall send {H5414} thunder {H6963} and rain {H4306}; that ye may perceive {H3045} and see {H7200} that your wickedness {H7451} is great {H7227}, which ye have done {H6213} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, in asking {H7592} you a king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now is wheat harvest time, isn't it? I am going to call on ADONAI to send thunder and rain. Then you will understand and see how wicked from

Berean Standard Bible

Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.”

American Standard Version

Is it not wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto Jehovah, that he may send thunder and rain; and ye shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of Jehovah, in asking you a king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 12:17 records a dramatic moment during Samuel's farewell address, where the prophet calls upon the Lord to send unseasonal thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest. This miraculous sign serves as undeniable proof of God's profound displeasure with Israel's request for a human king, exposing the deep-seated wickedness of their distrust and rejection of His direct, divine rule over them. It was a visible manifestation of God's sovereignty, intended to bring the people to a realization of their grave sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a climactic point in Samuel's farewell speech to the nation of Israel, delivered after they have successfully installed Saul as their first human king, a decision driven by their desire to be "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). Samuel has just recounted God's faithfulness throughout their history, from the Exodus to their current state, highlighting His consistent provision of judges and deliverers. He has also challenged them to find any fault in his own leadership, establishing his blameless integrity before God and the people ([1 Samuel 12:3-5](/1_samuel/12-3 "1 Samuel 12:3-5 - Samuel's Integrity")). Having cleared his name, Samuel now turns to confront the people with their own sin, using this powerful, supernatural sign to underscore the gravity of their choice to reject God as their true King. The immediate context of the sign emphasizes the divine origin of Samuel's words and the severity of Israel's transgression.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "wheat harvest" is crucial for understanding the historical and cultural impact of this sign. In ancient Israel, the wheat harvest typically occurred in late spring or early summer (May-June). This period was characterized by a dry season, with rain being exceedingly rare and unexpected. Therefore, the sudden appearance of thunder and rain during this time would have been perceived as a highly unusual, supernatural event, a direct intervention from God. This made the sign unequivocally divine, leaving no room for natural explanation. Furthermore, Israel's desire for a king stemmed from their observation of surrounding nations, who had visible, earthly monarchs. This desire reflected a deeper cultural assimilation, a preference for human institutions over the unique theocratic governance established by God, which was meant to set them apart.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Displeasure** with Israel's rejection of God as their true sovereign. Their request for a king was not merely a political maneuver but a profound act of distrust and a desire to conform to pagan nations, rather than embracing their unique identity as God's chosen people ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's View on Israel's Request for a King")). This leads to the theme of **Israel's Great Sin**, explicitly labeled as "wickedness," which was rooted in their spiritual rebellion and lack of faith. Samuel's ability to call for and receive this miraculous sign highlights his **Prophetic Authority**, confirming that his words are indeed from the Lord and that God stands behind His prophet's pronouncements. Finally, the unseasonal thunder and rain powerfully demonstrate **God's Sovereignty Over Nature**, serving as an undeniable witness to His presence, power, and ability to intervene directly in human affairs to achieve His purposes ([Psalm 29:3-4](/psalm/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-4 - The Voice of the Lord in Thunder")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wickedness (Hebrew, _ra'_):** The Hebrew word רַע (_ra'_) is a broad term encompassing concepts of evil, harm, calamity, misfortune, or moral badness. In this context, it signifies not merely a minor misstep or error, but a profound moral and spiritual offense. Samuel uses this strong term to emphasize the severe nature of Israel's sin – their rejection of God's direct rule was a fundamental betrayal of their covenant relationship and a deep-seated rebellion against His goodness and wisdom. It implies a harmful, destructive choice with significant consequences.
* **Wheat Harvest (Hebrew, _qatsir chittim'_):** This phrase, קָצִיר חִטִּים (_qatsir chittim_), refers to the specific time of year when wheat is reaped, typically late spring or early summer (May-June) in ancient Israel. This period was known for its consistent dry weather, making any significant rainfall, especially thunderous storms, an extremely rare and unnatural occurrence. The explicit mention of "wheat harvest" thus heightens the miraculous nature of the sign, making it undeniably a divine act rather than a natural phenomenon, thereby amplifying its impact as a direct message from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Is it] not wheat harvest to day?":** Samuel begins with a rhetorical question, drawing the people's attention to the current time of year. This immediately sets the stage for the miraculous sign, as everyone present would have known that rain and thunder were highly unusual, if not impossible, during the dry wheat harvest season. It primes them to recognize the supernatural nature of what is about to transpire.
* **"I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain;":** This is Samuel's prophetic declaration and demonstration of his authority. He asserts his direct access to God and confidently predicts a specific, unseasonal meteorological event. This is not a request but a statement of divine intention, highlighting God's immediate response to His prophet's call and His absolute control over creation. The sending of thunder and rain serves as a direct, tangible manifestation of God's presence and power.
* **"that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness [is] great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.":** This clause reveals the divine purpose behind the sign. The thunder and rain are not merely a display of power but a pedagogical tool. God intends for the people to "perceive and see" – to grasp intellectually and experience viscerally – the magnitude of their sin. Their "wickedness" is explicitly linked to "asking you a king," which, as previously established, was a rejection of God's direct rule and a desire to conform to worldly standards. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" underscores that their sin was not hidden but openly committed against God's direct authority and covenant.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 12:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Divine Sign**, where God directly intervenes in the natural order (unseasonal thunder and rain) to validate His prophet's words and confirm His judgment. This serves as an undeniable, sensory proof of God's displeasure. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: Israel sought a visible, earthly king to be like other nations, but God responds with an invisible, supernatural display of power, reminding them of His unique and transcendent sovereignty. The rhetorical question, "Is it not wheat harvest to day?", functions as a form of **Apostrophe** or direct address, engaging the audience and drawing their immediate attention to the unlikelihood of the impending event. Furthermore, the explicit statement that the sign is "that ye may perceive and see" highlights the **Didactic** purpose of the event, emphasizing its role as a lesson intended to bring the people to repentance and a clear understanding of their profound sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 12:17 powerfully illustrates the theological truth that God holds humanity accountable for its choices, especially when those choices involve rejecting His sovereign rule. Israel's demand for a king was not merely a political preference but a profound act of spiritual unfaithfulness, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's ability to govern and protect them. The unseasonal storm serves as a divine object lesson, a visible manifestation of God's immediate and powerful response to their rebellion. It underscores that God's authority extends over all creation and that He will use even the elements to communicate His will and expose sin, aiming to bring His people to repentance rather than immediate destruction. This event highlights the ongoing tension in the Old Testament between God's desire for a direct relationship with His people and their recurring tendency to seek security and identity in human institutions or worldly conformity.

* [Psalm 78:40-41](/psalm/78-40 "Psalm 78:40-41 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness")
* [Hosea 13:10-11](/hosea/13-10 "Hosea 13:10-11 - God Gives a King in Anger")
* [Romans 1:18-20](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18-20 - God's Wrath Revealed Through Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic scene in 1 Samuel 12:17 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust and security. Like ancient Israel, we often seek human solutions, worldly systems, or visible leaders to solve our problems, rather than fully trusting in God's invisible, sovereign rule. This verse reminds us that God's displeasure is not arbitrary but arises when our desires or actions betray a lack of faith in His perfect wisdom and provision. The unseasonal thunder and rain serve as a powerful reminder that God can and does use circumstances, even uncomfortable or disruptive ones, to reveal our spiritual blind spots and call us back to Himself. Our "wickedness" may not always be as overt as demanding a king, but it can manifest in subtle forms of self-reliance, anxiety, or conformity to cultural norms that subtly undermine our reliance on God. The call to "perceive and see" is an invitation to spiritual discernment, to recognize God's hand in our lives and respond with humility and repentance when He exposes our sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on human systems or my own strength, rather than trusting fully in God's invisible hand?**
* **How might God be using "unseasonal storms" or challenging circumstances in my life to reveal a deeper lack of trust or a hidden "wickedness" in my heart?**
* **What does it mean for me to "perceive and see" God's truth about my sin, and how should that lead me to repentance and renewed faith?**

### FAQ

**Why was asking for a king considered "great wickedness" by God?**

Answer: Asking for a king was considered "great wickedness" not simply because the concept of a monarchy was inherently evil, but because of the underlying motives and implications of Israel's request. As God Himself stated in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's Perspective on Israel's Request for a King"), "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them." Their desire for a king was a rejection of God's direct rule (theocracy) and a preference to be "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")), rather than embracing their unique identity as God's chosen, set-apart people. It demonstrated a profound lack of trust in God's ability to protect and provide for them, and a desire for a visible, human leader instead of the invisible, divine King. This act was a betrayal of their covenant relationship, rooted in spiritual unfaithfulness and a desire for worldly conformity over divine distinction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 12:17, with its dramatic display of divine judgment against Israel's rejection of God as King, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Israel's desire for an earthly king, born out of distrust and a longing for conformity, foreshadows humanity's consistent rejection of God's perfect rule. When the true King, Jesus Christ, entered the world, He was similarly rejected by His own people, who preferred human leaders and worldly systems over His divine authority ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own")). The "great wickedness" of Israel in demanding a king points to the greater wickedness of humanity in crucifying the very Son of God, the ultimate manifestation of God's kingship. Yet, in God's perfect plan, even Israel's sin was used to bring about the true and eternal King. Just as God provided a king for Israel, He ultimately provided the King of Kings, Jesus, whose reign is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")) and whose kingdom is eternal ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). The unseasonal thunder and rain, a sign of God's power and judgment, prefigure the cosmic signs that accompanied Christ's crucifixion ([Matthew 27:45](/matthew/27-45 "Matthew 27:45 - Darkness at the Crucifixion")) and resurrection, culminating in His ultimate triumph over sin and death. Through Christ, the perfect King, humanity's deepest need for true leadership and salvation is met, not through human institutions, but through divine grace and sacrifice ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted as Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 8:7

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Proverbs 26:1

¶ As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

1 Samuel 7:9

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

1 Samuel 7:10

And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:18

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Joshua 10:12

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.