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1 Samuel 12:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 12:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
1 Samuel 12:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15but if ye will not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah, but rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, then will the hand of Jehovah be against you, as it was against your fathers.
16Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Jehovah will do before your eyes.
17Is 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.
18So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
19And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.
20And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart:
21and turn ye not aside; for [then would ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
← 1 Samuel 12:171 Samuel 12:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So Samuel called unto the Lord, etc.] 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 f236 he sent thunder, lightning, and hail, a terrible storm and tempest it was: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel; the Lord that sent this tempest, and Samuel who had such power with God in prayer. Clement of Alexandria f237 thinks that from hence the Greeks borrowed their fable concerning Aeacus invoking God, when there was a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Samuel - Who had such power and favour with God. By this thunder and rain, God shewed 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 their condition was now, (like the weather in wheat harvest) yet if God pleased, he could soon change the face of their heavens, and persecute them with his storms. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:18 terrified: Cp. Exod 19:16.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sent thunder: Exo 9:23-25; Rev 11:5, Rev 11:6 feared: Exo 14:31; Ezr 10:9; Psa 106:12, Psa 106:13 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“This miracle therefore inspired the people with a salutary terror. "All the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel," and entreated the prophet, "Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, that we die not, because we have added to all our sins the evil thing, to ask us a king." 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:20”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification