1 Samuel 12:18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:16-25

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 (1 Sam. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:18

So Samuel called unto the Lord ,.... Not in an authoritative way, or by way of command, but by prayer; so the Targum renders the clause in the preceding verse,"I will pray before the Lord:" and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day ; immediately, though there was no appearance of it; it was harvest time, and a fine harvest day. Josephus says F16 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 6. he sent thunder, lightning, and hail, a terrible storm and tempest it was: and all the people greatly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:18

The Lord sent thunder and rain that day - This was totally unusual; and, as it came at the call of Samuel, was a most evident miracle. Greatly feared the Lord - They dreaded His terrible majesty; and they feared Samuel, perceiving that he had so much power with God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:16-25

The outward sign. The facts are— 1 . Samuel, to confirm his argument, calls for thunder and rain during the wheat harvest, thus imperilling their property. 2 . The people, awed by the event, entreat for his intercession. 3 . Samuel encourages hope on the ground of God's mercy, and promises to pray for and instruct them. 4 . He makes a final appeal, setting forth the blessed and sad alternative consequences. Samuel knew well with whom he had to deal; and, therefore, besides... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:18

Jehovah sent thunder and rain. Rain in Palestine falls usually only at the autumnal and vernal equinox, and though thunder storms are not unknown at other times, yet, by the general testimony of travellers, they are very rare. Naturally, therefore, this storm deeply impressed the minds of the people. Though not in itself miraculous, the circumstances made it so. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:18

1 Samuel 12:18. The Lord sent thunder and rain Such was the power and favour with God that this man of God possessed! By this thunder and rain, God showed them their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God or Samuel, expecting 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? Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could by his prayers? Likewise he intimates, that how serene soever... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel’s farewell address (12:1-25)The people’s demand for a king was an insult to Samuel as well as to God. Samuel therefore called upon them to declare before God and before the king that he had been blameless in all his behaviour. He had given them no cause to be dissatisfied with his leadership (12:1-5).In the lengthy address that followed, Samuel reminded his hearers of all that God had done in giving Israel the land of Canaan for a homeland (6-8). He reminded them also that Israel’s... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 12:16-18

1 Samuel 12:16-18. Now, therefore, stand and see, &c.— Rain indiscriminately in the winter months, and none at all in the summer, is what is most common in the East; so it is at Aleppo, and about Algiers: and so Jacobus de Vitriaco assures us it is in Judea: for he observes, that "lightning and thunder are wont, in the western countries, to be in the summer, but happen in the Holy Land in winter: that in the summer it seldom or never rains there; but in winter, though the returns of rain... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel’s second warning to the people ch. 12The writer wrote chapters 12-15 very skillfully to parallel chapters 8-11. Each section begins with Samuel warning the people about the dangers of their requesting a king (chs. 8 and 12). Each one also follows with a description of Saul’s exploits (chs. 9-10 and 13-14) and ends with Saul leading Israel in battle (chs. 11 and 15). This parallel structure vividly sets off the contrast between Saul’s early success as Israel’s king and his subsequent... read more