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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
Fifteen Centuries of Reception
3 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.
Wheat harvest: At which time of the year, it never thunders or rains in those countries.
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Summary
1 Samuel 12:17 captures a pivotal moment in Samuel's farewell address, where the prophet dramatically calls upon the Lord to send unseasonal thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest. This extraordinary meteorological event serves as an undeniable, divinely orchestrated sign, unequivocally demonstrating God's profound displeasure with Israel's request for a human king. It exposes the deep-seated wickedness of their distrust and rejection of His direct, divine rule, compelling the people to perceive the gravity of their sin and the enduring sovereignty of their true King.
Context
Literary Context
This verse marks the climax of Samuel's poignant farewell address to the nation of Israel, delivered after they have successfully installed Saul as their first human king. The narrative leading up to this point meticulously details Israel's persistent demand for a monarch, driven by a desire to "be like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel has just meticulously recounted God's unwavering faithfulness throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus to their current state, emphasizing His consistent provision of judges and deliverers. He has also publicly challenged the people to identify any fault in his own leadership, thereby establishing his blameless integrity before God and the assembly (1 Samuel 12:3-5). Having cleared his personal name, Samuel now shifts to confront the nation with their collective sin, employing this powerful, supernatural sign to underscore the immense gravity of their choice to reject God as their true and rightful King. The immediate context of this sign is crucial, as it divinely authenticates Samuel's prophetic words and highlights the severe nature of Israel's transgression.
Historical & Cultural Context
The specific mention of "wheat harvest" is indispensable for a full appreciation of the historical and cultural impact of this miraculous sign. In ancient Israel, the wheat harvest typically occurred in late spring or early summer, specifically during the months of May and June. This period was inherently characterized by a consistent dry season, making any significant rainfall, and especially a thunderous storm, an exceedingly rare and utterly unexpected meteorological phenomenon. Therefore, the sudden manifestation of thunder and rain during this particular time would have been perceived by all as a highly unusual, indeed supernatural, event—a direct and unmistakable intervention from the divine realm. This climatic anomaly rendered the sign unequivocally divine, leaving absolutely no room for natural explanation or coincidence. Furthermore, Israel's underlying desire for a king was deeply rooted in their observation of surrounding pagan nations, all of whom possessed visible, earthly monarchs. This desire reflected a profound cultural assimilation, a preference for human institutions and visible leadership over the unique, invisible theocratic governance that God had meticulously established for them, which was specifically designed to set them apart as His distinct people.
Key Themes
1 Samuel 12:17 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it powerfully underscores the theme of Divine Displeasure with Israel's profound rejection of God as their true sovereign. Their request for a king was not merely a pragmatic political maneuver but a deep-seated act of distrust and a desire to conform to the practices of pagan nations, rather than embracing their unique identity as God's chosen and set-apart people (1 Samuel 8:7). This leads directly to the theme of Israel's Great Sin, which is explicitly labeled as "wickedness," rooted in their spiritual rebellion and a fundamental lack of faith. Samuel's undeniable ability to call for and receive this miraculous sign powerfully highlights his Prophetic Authority, confirming that his words are indeed from the Lord and that God stands unequivocally behind His prophet's pronouncements. Finally, the unseasonal thunder and rain serve as a dramatic demonstration of God's Sovereignty Over Nature, serving as an undeniable witness to His omnipresent power and His absolute ability to intervene directly in human affairs to accomplish His divine purposes (Psalm 29:3-4).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew word רַע (raʻ, H7451) is a broad and potent term that encompasses concepts of evil, harm, calamity, misfortune, or moral badness. In this specific context, it signifies not merely a minor misstep or an accidental error, but a profound moral and spiritual offense against God. Samuel employs 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 inherent goodness, wisdom, and sovereign authority. It implies a harmful, destructive choice with far-reaching and significant consequences for the nation.
This phrase, קָצִיר חִטָּה (qâtsîyr chiṭṭâh, H7105 + H2406), refers to the specific time of year when wheat is reaped, which in ancient Israel typically occurred in late spring or early summer (May-June). This period was universally known for its consistent dry weather, making any significant rainfall, and especially a thunderous storm, an extremely rare and unnatural occurrence. The explicit mention of "wheat harvest" therefore dramatically heightens the miraculous nature of the sign, rendering it undeniably a divine act rather than a natural phenomenon, thereby amplifying its impact as a direct and unmistakable message from God Himself.
Verse Breakdown
"[Is it] not wheat harvest to day?"
Samuel opens with a rhetorical question, immediately drawing the people's attention to the current time of year. This clever rhetorical device instantly sets the stage for the miraculous sign, as every person present would have been acutely aware that rain and thunder were highly unusual, if not utterly impossible, during the dry wheat harvest season. It effectively primes their minds to recognize the supernatural nature of what is about to transpire, highlighting the extraordinary context for the divine intervention.
"I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain;"
This is Samuel's bold prophetic declaration and a powerful demonstration of his divine authority. He asserts his direct and privileged access to God, confidently predicting a specific, unseasonal meteorological event. This is not a mere request but a definitive statement of divine intention, highlighting God's immediate and unequivocal response to His prophet's call and His absolute, sovereign control over all creation. The sending of thunder and rain serves as a direct, tangible, and awe-inspiring manifestation of God's immediate presence and immense 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 concluding clause unequivocally reveals the divine purpose behind the miraculous sign. The thunder and rain are not merely a display of raw power but a profound pedagogical tool. God intends for the people to "perceive and see" – to grasp intellectually and experience viscerally – the immense magnitude of their sin. Their "wickedness" is explicitly and directly linked to "asking you a king," which, as Samuel has previously established, was a profound rejection of God's direct rule and a culpable desire to conform to worldly standards. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" powerfully underscores that their sin was not hidden or trivial but openly committed against God's direct authority and their sacred covenant.
Literary Devices
1 Samuel 12:17 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message and impact its audience. The most prominent is the Divine Sign, where God directly intervenes in the natural order by sending unseasonal thunder and rain. This serves as an undeniable, sensory proof of God's displeasure and validates the prophet's words. There is a strong element of Irony present: Israel sought a visible, earthly king to be like other nations, yet God responds with an invisible, supernatural display of power, powerfully 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 immediately and drawing their attention to the utter 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 divine lesson intended to bring the people to repentance and a clear, undeniable understanding of their profound sin.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Samuel 12:17 powerfully illustrates the enduring theological truth that God holds humanity fully accountable for its choices, especially when those choices involve a direct rejection of His sovereign rule. Israel's demand for a king was not merely a political preference or a superficial desire but a profound act of spiritual unfaithfulness, demonstrating a deep-seated lack of trust in God's ability to govern, protect, and provide for them. The unseasonal storm serves as a dramatic divine object lesson, a visible and undeniable 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 of nature to communicate His will, expose sin, and ultimately aim to bring His people to repentance rather than immediate destruction. This pivotal event highlights the ongoing tension throughout the Old Testament between God's desire for a direct, intimate relationship with His people and their recurring tendency to seek security, identity, and leadership in human institutions or through worldly conformity.
Reflection and Application
The dramatic and impactful scene in 1 Samuel 12:17 offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers. It challenges us to deeply examine where we truly place our trust and security. Like ancient Israel, we are often tempted to seek human solutions, rely on worldly systems, or look to visible leaders to solve our problems and provide security, rather than fully trusting in God's invisible, sovereign rule and perfect wisdom. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's displeasure is never arbitrary but arises when our desires or actions betray a fundamental lack of faith in His perfect wisdom, provision, and ultimate authority. The unseasonal thunder and rain serve as a potent reminder that God can and does use circumstances, even uncomfortable, disruptive, or seemingly negative ones, to reveal our spiritual blind spots, expose hidden sins, and lovingly call us back into deeper reliance upon Himself. Our "wickedness" may not always be as overtly dramatic as demanding a king, but it can manifest in subtle forms of self-reliance, chronic anxiety, or uncritical conformity to cultural norms that subtly undermine our complete dependence on God. The divine call to "perceive and see" is an urgent invitation to cultivate spiritual discernment, to recognize God's active hand in our lives, and to respond with profound humility and genuine repentance when He graciously exposes our sin.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was asking for a king considered "great wickedness" by God?
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 profound implications of Israel's request. As God Himself stated to Samuel in 1 Samuel 8:7, "they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them." Their desire for a king was a profound rejection of God's direct rule (theocracy) and a preference to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), rather than embracing their unique identity as God's chosen, set-apart people. It demonstrated a deep-seated 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 fundamental betrayal of their covenant relationship, rooted in spiritual unfaithfulness and a culpable 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 their true King, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Israel's shortsighted desire for an earthly king, born out of distrust and a longing for conformity to the world, powerfully foreshadows humanity's consistent and tragic rejection of God's perfect, divine 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 and spiritual kingdom (John 1:11). The "great wickedness" of Israel in demanding a human king points profoundly to the even greater wickedness of humanity in crucifying the very Son of God, the ultimate and perfect manifestation of God's eternal kingship. Yet, in God's sovereign and perfect plan, even Israel's sin was paradoxically used to bring about the true and eternal King. Just as God reluctantly provided a human king for Israel, He ultimately provided the King of Kings, Jesus, whose reign is emphatically "not of this world" (John 18:36) and whose kingdom is eternal, unshakable, and ever-expanding (Luke 1:33). The unseasonal thunder and rain, a terrifying sign of God's power and impending judgment, prefigure the cosmic signs that accompanied Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:45) and resurrection, culminating in His ultimate triumph over sin, death, and all earthly powers. Through Christ, the perfectly obedient and sacrificial King, humanity's deepest need for true leadership, salvation, and reconciliation with God is met, not through flawed human institutions, but through divine grace, perfect sacrifice, and His glorious exaltation (Philippians 2:9-11).