1 Samuel 12:17-25

17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.”

18 Then Samuel called on the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the LORD and of Samuel.

19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.

22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

1 Samuel 12:17-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 12

In this chapter Samuel, resigning the government to Saul, asserts the integrity with which he had performed his office, and calls upon the people of Israel to attest it, who did, 1Sa 12:1-5, he then reminds them of the great and good things the Lord had done for them in times past, 1Sa 12:6-11 and whereas they had desired a king, and one was given them, it was their interest to fear and serve the Lord; if not, his hand would be against them, 1Sa 12:10-15 he terrifies them by calling for thunder in an unusual time, 1Sa 12:16-19 and then comforts and encourages them, that in doing their duty God would be with them, and not forsake them, otherwise they might expect nothing but ruin and destruction, 1Sa 12:20-25.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 30:14; S 1 Samuel 6:13; 1 Samuel 7:9-10
• 2. 1 Kings 18:42; James 5:18
• 3. S Exodus 9:23; S 1 Samuel 2:10
• 4. Genesis 7:12; Exodus 9:18; Job 37:13; Proverbs 26:1
• 5. S 1 Samuel 8:6-7
• 6. Psalms 99:6
• 7. S Genesis 3:10; S Exodus 14:31
• 8. ver 23; Exodus 9:28; S Exodus 8:8; S 1 Samuel 7:8; S Jeremiah 37:3; James 5:18; 1 John 5:16
• 9. S Deuteronomy 9:19
• 10. S Exodus 32:30
• 11. Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 41:24,29; Isaiah 44:9; Jeremiah 2:5,11; Jeremiah 14:22; Jeremiah 16:19; John 2:8; Habakkuk 2:18; Acts 14:15
• 12. Deuteronomy 11:16
• 13. Psalms 25:11; Psalms 106:8; Isaiah 48:9,11; Jeremiah 14:7; Daniel 9:19
• 14. S Joshua 7:9; 2 Samuel 7:23; John 17:12
• 15. S Leviticus 26:11; S Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Kings 6:13
• 16. Deuteronomy 7:7; 1 Peter 2:9
• 17. S Numbers 11:2; S 1 Samuel 1:20; S 1 Samuel 7:8; Romans 1:9-10; Colossians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:3
• 18. 1 Kings 8:36; Psalms 25:4; Psalms 34:11; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 94:12; Proverbs 4:11
• 19. Deuteronomy 6:2; Ecclesiastes 12:13
• 20. Deuteronomy 6:5; S Joshua 24:14
• 21. Job 34:27; Isaiah 5:12; Isaiah 22:11; Isaiah 26:10
• 22. S Deuteronomy 10:21
• 23. 1 Samuel 31:1-5
• 24. Deuteronomy 28:36
• 25. S Joshua 24:20; S 1 Kings 14:10