1 samuel 12:17 - Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in Yahweh’s sight, in asking for a king.”

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 12:17

What does "1 samuel 12:17" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 12:17, is a powerful rebuke delivered by the prophet Samuel to the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:

"Isn't it wheat harvest today?" Wheat harvest was typically a dry season in Israel (late spring/early summer). Rain during the harvest was unusual and potentially devastating to the crops. It would disrupt the process of drying and threshing the wheat.

"I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain..." Samuel is announcing that he will ask God to send a thunderstorm and rain. This is a direct challenge, showing his power as a prophet and God's power over nature.

"...and you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in Yahweh's sight, in asking for a king." This is the core of the message. Samuel is telling the people that the abnormal and destructive weather will be a sign from God. It will demonstrate just how wrong they were to demand a human king. They had rejected God's direct rule in favor of a human monarch, and Samuel saw this as a rejection of God Himself. The rain during harvest is meant to be a clear, dramatic sign of God's displeasure.

In summary, the verse means:

Samuel, acting as God's messenger, is demonstrating God's power and displeasure at the Israelites' request for a king. The unusual and destructive thunderstorm and rain, occurring during the wheat harvest, will be a tangible sign of their sin in rejecting God's rule. It's a dramatic warning to the people, emphasizing that their desire for a king was a grave offense in God's eyes.

What categories does "1 samuel 12:17" have?