1 Samuel 12:17-19

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 12:17

Is it not wheat harvest today ?.... Of the time of wheat harvest; see Gill on 1 Samuel 6:13 . Rain usually fell in Judea only twice a year, called the former and the latter rain; and from the seventeenth of Nisan or March, to the sixteenth of Marchesvan or October, it was not usual for rain to fall, and so not in harvest, at that time especially, see Proverbs 26:1 . R. Joseph Kimchi says, in the land of Israel rain never fell all the days of harvest; and this is confirmed by Jerom, who... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:19

And all the people said unto Samuel , During the tempest, and in the midst of it; it was the general cry of the people, they were unanimous in it: pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not ; though they had rejected him as their judge and supreme governor in desiring a king, now they were his humble servants, at least feignedly; and knowing what interest he had with God in prayer, they entreat him to make use of it on their behalf, who having sinned so greatly, had not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:17

Is it not wheat harvest to-day ? - That is, This is the time of wheat harvest. According to St. Jerome, who spent several years in the promised land, this harvest commenced about the end of June or beginning of July, in which he says he never saw rain in Judea: Nunquam enim in fine mensis Junii, sive in mense Julio, in his provinciis, maximeque in Judea, pluvias vidimus . - Hier. in Amos 4:7 ; where he refers to this very history. What occurred now hardly ever occurs there but... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:19

Pray for thy servants - that we die not - As they knew they had rebelled against God, they saw that they had every thing to fear from his justice and power. We have added unto all our sins this evil - It is no sin to have a king; a good king is one of the greatest blessings of God's providence; but it is a sin to put a man in the place of God. Is it not strange that they did not now attempt to repair their fault? They might have done it, but they did not; they... 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 12:17

Wheat harvest. Barley was fit for reaping at the Passover, and wheat at Pentecost, i.e. between the middle of May and the middle of June. Jerome, on Amos 4:7 , testifies that during his long residence in Palestine he had never seen rain there during June and July; but Conder, says, "Storms still occur occasionally in harvest time." He shall send thunder. Hebrew, voices, and so in verse 18 (see 1 Samuel 2:10 ; 1 Samuel 7:9 ). DIVINE TESTIMONY TO SAMUEL 'S INTEGRITY ... 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:17

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:17

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:16-25

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:18

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