King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:17 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 12:17 · KJV


Context

15

But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16

Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.

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.

18

So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel's question 'Is it not wheat harvest to day?' identifies the season (late May to early June) when rain was extremely rare in Palestine. His announcement 'I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain' claims power to summon unseasonal weather - something only God could provide. The sign serves dual purposes: demonstrating Samuel's prophetic authority and illustrating divine power to disrupt what humans consider normal or guaranteed. Israel's agricultural security depends on God, not natural cycles.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The wheat harvest occurred in the dry season when rain was virtually unknown in Palestine. Summer rain would be agriculturally devastating, damaging crops at their most vulnerable stage. This timing made the sign unmistakably miraculous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's control over nature remind us that nothing operates independently of Him?
  2. What false securities based on 'normal patterns' might God disrupt to gain our attention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
הֲל֤וֹא1 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

קְצִיר2 of 22

harvest

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

חִטִּים֙3 of 22

Is it not wheat

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

הַיּ֔וֹם4 of 22

to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶקְרָא֙5 of 22

I will call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל6 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְיִתֵּ֥ן8 of 22

and he shall send

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

קֹל֖וֹת9 of 22

thunder

H6963

a voice or sound

וּמָטָ֑ר10 of 22

and rain

H4306

rain

וּדְע֣וּ11 of 22

that ye may perceive

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וּרְא֗וּ12 of 22

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּֽי13 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָעַתְכֶ֤ם14 of 22

that your wickedness

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

רַבָּה֙15 of 22

is great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר16 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עֲשִׂיתֶם֙17 of 22

which ye have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְּעֵינֵ֣י18 of 22

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֔ה19 of 22

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לִשְׁא֥וֹל20 of 22

in asking

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

לָכֶ֖ם21 of 22
H0
מֶֽלֶךְ׃22 of 22

you a king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 12:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 12:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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