1Sa 12:16-18 | MHM | STEP | Samuel Calls for Thunder; Samuel Encourages and Comforts Israel In this section, Samuel wants to do two things. First, he wants the people to see that asking for a king was a serious sin, even though God allowed it. Second, he wants to encourage the people not to lose hope, but to stay close to God and keep serving Him faithfully, no matter what has happened in the past. v. 16-18 : Samuel tells the people to stand still and see a great thing that the Lord will do. He calls on God to send thunder and rain during the wheat harvest, which is not usual in that season. God answers Samuel’s prayer, and a powerful storm comes. This miracle shows that God is displeased with the people for asking for a king (1 Samuel 12:16-18; 1 Samuel 12:16-18 ). It also proves that Samuel is truly God’s prophet and that God can do what no king can do. The storm is a sign that even when things are going well, God can change everything if the people do wrong (Psalm 135:7; Psalm 135:7 , Job 40:9; Job 40:9 ).

‏ 1 Samuel 12:16-18

Samuel Calls for Thunder; Samuel Encourages and Comforts Israel

In this section, Samuel wants to do two things. First, he wants the people to see that asking for a king was a serious sin, even though God allowed it. Second, he wants to encourage the people not to lose hope, but to stay close to God and keep serving Him faithfully, no matter what has happened in the past.

v. 16-18: Samuel tells the people to stand still and see a great thing that the Lord will do. He calls on God to send thunder and rain during the wheat harvest, which is not usual in that season. God answers Samuel’s prayer, and a powerful storm comes. This miracle shows that God is displeased with the people for asking for a king (1 Samuel 12:16-18; 1 Samuel 12:16-18 ^a). It also proves that Samuel is truly God’s prophet and that God can do what no king can do. The storm is a sign that even when things are going well, God can change everything if the people do wrong (Psalm 135:7; Psalm 135:7 ^b, Job 40:9; Job 40:9 ^c).

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