1 Samuel 12:18
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It's easy to focus on the thunder and rain as just a dramatic sign from God. But notice that the people "greatly feared the LORD and Samuel" – their fear of Samuel wasn't mere terror, but a deep respect for the man God had chosen and empowered, showing the profound connection between divine authority and its human representatives. This event underscores how God can use His servants to reveal His presence and power to the world.
So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right before this, the people have demanded a king, rejecting God's leadership through Samuel. Samuel has just delivered a powerful, no-holds-barred rebuke of their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their choice. In this moment, as the harvest season is underway, Samuel calls down a dramatic sign from God to prove the seriousness of their sin and the reality of God's judgment.
Ever feel like your prayers are just whispers into the void? Samuel’s prayer wasn't a whisper; it was a powerful call, and God responded in a way that shook everyone present.
A Divine Display
Samuel, a prophet of God, stands before the Israelites. They've just demanded a king, rejecting God's direct rule through Samuel. It’s a moment of profound disobedience and fear. In their fear and confusion, Samuel turns to the Lord. And God answers – not with a gentle breeze, but with thunder and rain. This wasn't just weather; it was a dramatic demonstration of God's sovereignty and power. The thunder and rain served as a divine sign, confirming Samuel's message and God's authority in a way that no one could ignore.
The people feared both God and Samuel. What does it mean to fear God, and why was Samuel included in that awe?
Two Kinds of Fear
This verse mentions the people fearing 'the LORD and Samuel.' It’s crucial to understand these aren't the same kind of fear.
Fear of the LORD
This is a healthy, reverent awe. It's an acknowledgment of God's holiness, power, and justice, leading to obedience and respect. It’s not paralyzing terror, but a deep recognition of who God is.
Fear of Samuel
This fear is different. It stems from Samuel’s role as God’s representative. Because God powerfully backed Samuel’s message with thunder and rain, the people recognized Samuel’s authority . It's a respect born out of seeing God work through His chosen messenger. They feared the consequences of disobeying God’s prophet.
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Understand the original words
yare' · Hebrew Verb
An attitude of reverence, awe, and submission before the holiness and power of God. It is the appropriate response of a creature to the Creator, often involving a recognition of God's authority and judgment.
This event shows God's power over nature and His judgment on Israel's demand for a king, reinforcing Samuel's authority and the people's need to fear the LORD.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
The prophet Samuel, as directed by God, anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a major shift from the era of judges.
c. 1030 BC
Philistine Threat Escalates
The Philistines, a powerful maritime people, gain increasing dominance over Israel, often controlling key regions and suppressing Israelite military activity.
c. 1020 BC
Saul's Rejection by God
After disobeying God's commands regarding the Amalekites, Samuel informs Saul that his kingship will not continue, and God seeks another.
c. 1020 BC— this verse
Samuel Confronts Israel
In this chapter (1 Samuel 12), Samuel delivers his farewell address, recounting God's faithfulness and warning the people about the sin of asking for a king. He highlights their continued potential for disobedience.
c. 1020 BC
Theophany: Thunder and Rain
In response to the people's fear and Samuel's prayer, God sends a dramatic display of thunder and rain during the harvest season, a sign of His displeasure and power.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
God chooses David, a young shepherd, to be the next king of Israel, though Saul remains on the throne.
This passage shows the people fearing the LORD after witnessing His powerful deliverance, mirroring the fear that arises from seeing God's might displayed through Samuel.
Joshua 4:24It emphasizes that God's mighty acts are meant to instill awe and fear of the LORD in people's hearts, just as the thunder and rain did in this instance.
1 Kings 18:36-39Here, Elijah's prayer brings down fire from heaven, causing the people to fear the LORD, demonstrating a pattern of prophets calling on God and the people responding with reverence.
Psalm 99:3This verse directly speaks of God's awesome and holy name, which people should fear, aligning with the people's great fear of the LORD after His powerful demonstration.
It's easy to focus on the thunder and rain as just a dramatic sign from God. But notice that the people "greatly feared the LORD and Samuel" – their fear of Samuel wasn't mere terror, but a deep respect for the man God had chosen and empowered, showing the profound connection between divine authority and its human representatives. This event underscores how God can use His servants to reveal His presence and power to the world.
Right before this, the people have demanded a king, rejecting God's leadership through Samuel. Samuel has just delivered a powerful, no-holds-barred rebuke of their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their choice. In this moment, as the harvest season is underway, Samuel calls down a dramatic sign from God to prove the seriousness of their sin and the reality of God's judgment.
Right before this, the people have demanded a king, rejecting God's leadership through Samuel. Samuel has just delivered a powerful, no-holds-barred rebuke of their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their choice. In this moment, as the harvest season is underway, Samuel calls down a dramatic sign from God to prove the seriousness of their sin and the reality of God's judgment.
"So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel." — It's easy to focus on the thunder and rain as just a dramatic sign from God. But notice that the people "greatly feared the LORD and Samuel" – their fear of Samuel wasn't mere terror, but a deep…
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Last reviewed October 2026
