1 Samuel 12:17

[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.

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}.

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

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.”

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

1 Samuel 12:17 captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the prophet Samuel delivers a powerful rebuke to the nation during his farewell address. This verse highlights God's displeasure with their demand for a human king, a request born out of a lack of trust in God's direct rule.

Context

This verse is part of Samuel's impassioned speech to the Israelites after they have insisted on having a king like the surrounding nations, leading to the anointing of Saul. Samuel has just challenged them to testify against any wrongdoing on his part (1 Samuel 12:3-5), establishing his own blamelessness. Now, he turns to expose their great sin. The mention of "wheat harvest" is crucial; in ancient Israel, this period (late spring/early summer) was typically dry, making thunder and rain an extraordinary, supernatural event that would undeniably confirm God's direct intervention and judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Displeasure: The primary message is God's profound displeasure with Israel's rejection of Him as their true sovereign. Their desire for a visible, earthly king symbolized a deeper spiritual failure to trust in the invisible God.
  • Israel's Great Sin: Samuel explicitly states their "wickedness is great." This sin was not merely asking for a king, but the underlying motive of distrust and a desire to conform to the surrounding pagan nations, rather than standing apart as God's unique people (as God Himself noted in 1 Samuel 8:7).
  • Samuel's Prophetic Authority: Samuel demonstrates his authority as God's prophet by calling for a miraculous sign. This act confirms his words are from the Lord and underscores the gravity of the people's sin.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nature: The immediate sending of thunder and rain in an unseasonable time powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over creation, serving as an undeniable witness to His presence and power (Psalm 29:3-4 speaks of the voice of the Lord on the waters and in thunder).

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "wickedness" here is ra (Χ¨Φ·Χ’), which encompasses concepts of evil, harm, or calamity. Its use emphasizes the severe nature of Israel's offense, not just a minor misstep, but a fundamental betrayal of their covenant relationship with God. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" (`le'eyney YHWH`) stresses that their sin was not hidden but openly committed against God's direct authority.

Prophetic Sign and Application

The thunder and rain were not merely a display of power but a clear, perceptible sign ("that ye may perceive and see") intended to bring the Israelites to a realization of their profound sin and to lead them to repentance. This dramatic event served as a divine object lesson, forcing them to confront the consequences of their choice. For us today, 1 Samuel 12:17 serves as a powerful reminder that God often reveals our spiritual failings through circumstances, not to condemn, but to draw us back to Him in humble repentance and renewed trust. It underscores the importance of trusting God's perfect plan over our own human desires or the allure of worldly systems.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 8:7 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 7:9 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Joshua 10:12 (2 votes)

    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.