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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
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
1 Samuel 12:18 powerfully depicts a dramatic divine intervention, where the LORD responds to Samuel's prayer by unleashing unseasonal thunder and rain, thereby unequivocally validating Samuel's prophetic authority and exposing the profound sinfulness inherent in Israel's demand for a human king. This overwhelming display of God's absolute sovereignty over creation instills a deep, reverential fear in the entire populace, compelling them to acknowledge their rebellion and the true majesty of their divine King.
Context
Literary Context
This verse marks the climactic and most dramatic moment within Samuel's farewell address to the nation of Israel, delivered immediately following their successful installation of Saul as their inaugural king. In the preceding verses of 1 Samuel 12, Samuel meticulously recounts God's unwavering faithfulness, leadership, and provision for Israel throughout their history, from the patriarchal era to the present day. He starkly contrasts this divine fidelity with the nation's consistent pattern of rebellion, idolatry, and ingratitude. Samuel pointedly reminds them of their recent rejection of God as their direct sovereign ruler by demanding a human king, a decision he had previously warned them about in 1 Samuel 8:7. To underscore the profound gravity of their sin and to irrefutably validate his prophetic message, Samuel issues a bold challenge, calling upon the people to witness a divine sign: thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season, an event that would be undeniably supernatural and a direct act of God's judgment and authoritative confirmation.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, with its very survival deeply dependent on predictable and favorable weather patterns for successful crop cultivation. The wheat harvest, a critical period for their sustenance, typically occurred in late spring (specifically May-June), a season universally characterized by clear, dry skies across the central highlands where the majority of Israel's population resided. Rain during this specific period was not merely unusual; it was an anomaly, often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or, conversely, a miraculous intervention. Consequently, Samuel's audacious call for thunder and rain was far more than a meteorological prediction; it was a direct challenge for God to act in a manner that defied natural expectations, rendering the subsequent downpour an irrefutable sign of God's direct involvement and His profound displeasure with their recent actions. The public nature of this spectacular event, witnessed by "all the people," ensured its widespread and undeniable impact, powerfully reinforcing the authority of both God and His prophet in the collective consciousness of the nation.
Key Themes
The central theological and narrative themes converging in 1 Samuel 12:18 are multifaceted and profound. Firstly, Divine Sovereignty and Judgment is vividly displayed, as God demonstrates His absolute control over creation to both validate His prophetic word and express His displeasure with Israel's rejection of His direct rule. This act serves as a powerful reminder that while Israel desired a human king, God remained the ultimate, unchallenged authority. Secondly, Prophetic Authority and Confirmation is paramount, as the immediate and miraculous fulfillment of Samuel's spoken word unequivocally establishes him as a true prophet of the LORD, whose words are not merely his own but divinely inspired. This divine attestation reinforces the people's imperative need to heed Samuel's counsel, even as they transition into a new era of monarchy. Finally, the verse powerfully highlights the theme of the Fear of the LORD and Repentance, as the people's overwhelming fear is not simply terror but a profound awe and reverence that leads to a deep conviction of their sin and a desperate desire for reconciliation, echoing the foundational wisdom found in Proverbs 9:10.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The verb "called" (H7121, קָרָא, qârâʼ) signifies more than a casual utterance; it implies a formal invocation, a solemn appeal, or a prayer directed to a divine entity. In this context, Samuel's "calling unto the LORD" is an act of prophetic intercession, a direct and intimate communication with God, demonstrating his unique relationship with the divine and his crucial role as mediator between God and Israel. It underscores the profound power of prayer, especially when offered by a righteous servant of God in perfect alignment with God's sovereign will.
The adverb "greatly" (H3966, מְאָד, mᵉʼôd'), derived from a root meaning "vehemence," functions as an intensive or superlative modifier. When applied to the people's fear, it conveys an overwhelming, profound, and all-encompassing emotional and spiritual response. It indicates that their fear was not superficial or fleeting, but deep-seated, impactful, and transformative, signifying an extreme degree of awe, dread, and recognition of divine power.
The Hebrew verb "feared" (H3372, יָרֵא, yârêʼ') is rich in theological meaning, encompassing a spectrum from immediate terror and dread to profound reverence, awe, and respectful submission. While the people's initial reaction was undoubtedly one of astonishment and dread at the sudden, unnatural storm, the context, especially when coupled with "greatly," suggests a deeper, transformative "fear of the LORD" that leads to genuine repentance and humble submission. This is not a debilitating terror but a healthy, worshipful awe that acknowledges God's holiness, immense power, and absolute authority, ultimately leading to a desire to obey Him. The people also feared Samuel, not out of terror for him personally, but out of a profound recognition of his divine commission and the tangible power of God manifested through him.
Verse Breakdown
"So Samuel called unto the LORD;"
This opening clause firmly establishes Samuel's pivotal role as God's prophet and intercessor. It underscores the direct, personal, and intimate nature of his relationship with God, emphasizing that the subsequent miraculous event is a direct and immediate answer to his fervent prayer. Samuel acts as God's appointed representative, demonstrating that God continues to communicate and act powerfully through His chosen servants, even as Israel transitions into a new era of monarchy.
"and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day:"
This is the immediate, dramatic, and undeniable fulfillment of Samuel's prophetic word and prayer. The sending of thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season is a powerful, irrefutable act of divine sovereignty, defying natural expectations. It serves as a miraculous sign, confirming Samuel's prophetic authority and, more importantly, validating God's profound displeasure with Israel's sin in rejecting Him as their rightful King. It is a visible, audible, and tangible demonstration of God's absolute control over creation and His active involvement in human affairs, serving simultaneously as both a judgment and a compelling call to repentance.
"and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."
The people's reaction is one of profound awe, dread, and conviction. Their "great fear" signifies a deep recognition of God's immense power, holiness, and justice, leading to a profound conviction of their collective sin. They also feared Samuel, not as an equal to God, but as the divinely appointed instrument through whom God's mighty power was manifested, thereby acknowledging his true prophetic status and the divine source of his authority. This fear, intensified by the miraculous display, is a crucial and transformative step towards repentance, moving them from a superficial desire for a human king to a profound realization of their rebellion against their true divine King.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its theological impact. Divine Intervention is the most prominent, as God directly and miraculously alters natural phenomena to confirm His word and demonstrate His omnipotent power. This act approaches a Theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence and power, not in human form, but through the awe-inspiring elements of nature. The precise timing of the storm during the dry harvest season introduces profound Irony, as the very "blessing" of rain, typically a sign of divine favor and provision, becomes a potent sign of judgment and displeasure when it occurs at an inappropriate time, disrupting their harvest and symbolically highlighting their spiritual barrenness. The people's reaction, "greatly feared the LORD and Samuel," functions as a powerful form of Confirmation, validating Samuel's prophetic office and the undeniable truth of his message. The entire scene also serves as Foreshadowing, indicating that even with the establishment of a human monarchy, God remains the ultimate sovereign, perpetually capable of intervening directly in Israel's affairs, whether for blessing or for judgment. Furthermore, the thunder and rain act as powerful Symbolism, representing God's voice, His judgment, and His absolute control over all creation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This pivotal moment in 1 Samuel 12:18 powerfully underscores the enduring theological truth of God's active sovereignty over His creation and His unwavering commitment to hold His covenant people accountable. The unseasonal thunder and rain serve as a tangible, undeniable demonstration of God's power, forcefully reminding Israel that their desire for a human king did not diminish God's ultimate authority or His inherent right to rule. It highlights the profound concept of divine judgment, not merely as punitive retribution, but as a merciful act fundamentally intended to bring about genuine repentance and a renewed, profound reverence for God. The people's overwhelming fear signifies a crucial turning point, moving them from self-reliance and misplaced trust in human institutions to a profound recognition of their utter dependence on the LORD. This dramatic event establishes a clear pattern throughout biblical history: God confirms His word through His chosen prophets, and His people are consistently called to respond with reverential fear and obedient submission.
Reflection and Application
The dramatic scene in 1 Samuel 12:18 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is not a distant, passive deity but an active, sovereign Lord who continually intervenes in human history and intimately in our personal lives. Just as He confirmed Samuel's prophetic word with an undeniable display of His omnipotent power, God continues to confirm His truth through His infallible written Word, the convicting witness of the Holy Spirit, and, at times, through providential circumstances that defy human explanation. This passage calls us to cultivate a healthy "fear of the LORD"—not a cowering, debilitating terror, but a deep, reverential awe that acknowledges His perfect holiness, infinite power, and absolute authority over all creation. This profound fear is the very foundation of true wisdom and leads inevitably to humility, willing obedience, and genuine repentance when we stray from His path. When God graciously reveals our sin, whether through the piercing conviction of His Word, the gentle prompting of the Spirit, or challenging life circumstances, our appropriate and transformative response is to turn back to Him with a contrite heart, trusting implicitly in His boundless mercy and unfailing grace.
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 because it was the dry season in ancient Israel, typically from May to June. Rain during this period was highly unusual and considered a miraculous event, often associated with divine judgment or a direct act of God's power. By calling for such an unnatural phenomenon, Samuel provided an undeniable, visible, and audible sign that his words were directly from the LORD and that Israel's sin in demanding a king was indeed "great" in God's eyes. It served as a powerful confirmation of Samuel's prophetic authority and God's displeasure, compelling the people to acknowledge their wrongdoing, as seen in their subsequent plea for prayer in 1 Samuel 12:19.
Why did the people "greatly fear the LORD and Samuel"?
The people "greatly feared the LORD" because they witnessed an immediate, supernatural display of His power that defied natural order. The unseasonal thunder and rain were a direct, irrefutable sign of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in their affairs, confirming His profound displeasure with their rejection of Him as their king. This fear was not just terror but a profound, reverential awe that led to conviction of sin and a recognition of God's holiness and absolute authority. They feared Samuel because he was the instrument through whom God's power was manifested; his words were confirmed by divine action, establishing him as a true prophet of the LORD, whose authority was derived directly from God. Their fear of Samuel was a recognition of God's presence and power working through him, as indicated by Samuel's subsequent reassurance to the people in 1 Samuel 12:20.
What is the significance of "the fear of the LORD" in this context?
In this context, "the fear of the LORD" (Hebrew: yârêʼ') signifies more than mere fright; it denotes a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's majesty, holiness, and omnipotent power. Witnessing the miraculous storm, the people were brought to a deep conviction of their sin and a proper understanding of who God truly is—the sovereign King who rules over all creation and intervenes in human history. This fear is transformative; it leads to humility, genuine repentance, and a desire to obey God. It is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, and a necessary prerequisite for genuine spiritual turning and submission to divine authority.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The dramatic display of God's power and the people's subsequent fear in 1 Samuel 12:18 serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate revelation of God's authority and the call to repentance found in Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel stood as God's prophet, validating his message through divine signs, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, confirmed His divine authority not through thunder and rain, but through His unparalleled miraculous works, His authoritative teachings, and ultimately, His victorious resurrection from the dead. The "fear of the LORD" experienced by Israel, leading to a recognition of their sin and a plea for intercession, finds its fullest and most profound expression in the New Covenant through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which leads to genuine repentance and saving faith in Christ. Israel's rejection of God's direct rule in favor of a human king highlights humanity's persistent desire for earthly solutions and self-governance over divine sovereignty. Yet, in Christ, God Himself condescended to become the perfect King, not one chosen by human preference or flawed by human nature, but one appointed by God, whose reign is eternal, perfectly just, and utterly merciful. His coming brings a deeper, more profound "fear"—a reverential awe that leads to worship, adoration, and complete submission, as all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). The judgment demonstrated through the storm points to the ultimate judgment that will be executed by Christ, yet His first coming was to save, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who, out of a reverent fear, turn from their sins and trust in Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.