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.

1 SAMUEL 12:18KJV
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1 Samuel 12:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:18 mean?

1 Samuel 12:18 presents the thunder and rain as the LORD’s answer to Samuel’s call. The storm confirms the warning Samuel has just given about the people’s request for a king. The people respond with great fear toward both the LORD and Samuel.

After Samuel’s warning in verse 17, the storm comes “that day,” while the people are still gathered. The timing ties the event to Samuel’s words and gives the people an immediate reason to take his warning seriously.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:18

  • “thunder” — קוֹל (qol): This word often means a sound or voice. Here, together with the rain, it refers to the sound of thunder.
  • “feared” — יָרֵא (yareʾ): This word can describe fear or reverence. In this scene, the people’s alarm is clear from their request for Samuel to pray for them in verse 19.

Why 1 Samuel 12:18 matters

  • The storm gives weight to Samuel’s warning about the request for a king. Verse 17 says the thunder and rain will help the people recognize the wrong in that request.
  • The time of year makes the event striking. Verse 17 places Samuel’s warning at the wheat harvest, a season when rain was unusual in that region.
  • The people’s fear includes Samuel as well as the LORD. Their response in verse 19 shows that they understood Samuel as someone who could speak to the LORD on their behalf.

Where else these words appear

“rain” Hebrew H4306 · used in 36 verses

  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • Job 38:28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.