Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the prophet Samuel is depicted as a pivotal figure during the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. One of the notable events associated with Samuel is the miraculous occurrence of rain during the wheat harvest, which served as a divine sign to the people of Israel.The account is found in 1 Samuel 12, where Samuel addresses the Israelites at Gilgal. The people had demanded a king to rule over them, rejecting the theocratic leadership that had been established by God. Despite their insistence, God granted their request and Saul was anointed as king. However, Samuel took this opportunity to remind the Israelites of their covenant with God and the consequences of their actions. In 1 Samuel 12:16-18 , Samuel declares, "Now, therefore, stand and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king." The timing of this event is significant. The wheat harvest in Israel typically occurs during the dry season, when rain is rare. The sudden onset of thunder and rain at Samuel's request was an extraordinary event, underscoring the power and authority of God. It served as a tangible demonstration of divine displeasure with the people's demand for a monarchy, which was seen as a rejection of God's direct rule. The response of the people is recorded in 1 Samuel 12:19 : "The people all said to Samuel, 'Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.'" This reaction indicates their recognition of the seriousness of their actions and their fear of divine judgment. Samuel's role in this event highlights his position as a mediator between God and the people. His ability to call upon the Lord and bring about such a miraculous sign demonstrates his close relationship with God and his authority as a prophet. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of straying from His will. This miraculous rain event is a testament to the sovereignty of God and His control over nature. It reinforces the biblical theme that God uses natural phenomena to communicate with His people and to affirm His covenantal relationship with them. Through Samuel, God provided a powerful sign to the Israelites, calling them to repentance and renewed faithfulness. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 12:16-19Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. Nave's Topical Index Library The City of God. Index of Subjects. The Temple Cleansed Again Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ... Letter xxii. To Eustochium. Lives of Faith and Trust Light for them that Sit in Darkness; part ii part i Resources What is the Latter Rain Movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the rain falls on the just and the unjust? | GotQuestions.org What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.org Rain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rain of Christ in the Communication of his Graces Rain of the Doctrine of Faithful Ministers Rain: (Destructive) of a Poor Man Oppressing the Poor Rain: (Destructive) of God's Judgments Rain: Answer to Prayer For, Promised Rain: Canaan Abundantly Supplied With Rain: Contingent Upon Obedience Rain: Designed For: Making Fruitful the Earth Rain: Designed For: Refreshing the Earth Rain: Designed For: Replenishing the Springs and Fountains of the Earth Rain: Divided Into: Overflowing Rain: Extraordinary: After Long Drought in Ahab's Reign Rain: Extraordinary: After the Captivity Rain: Extraordinary: During Wheat Harvest in the Days of Samuel Rain: Extraordinary: Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: Extraordinary: Time of the Flood Rain: Forty Days of, at the Time of the Great Flood of Noah Rain: Frequently Withheld on Account of Iniquity Rain: God Causes, to Come Down Rain: God Exhibits Goodness in Giving Rain: God Exhibits Greatness in Giving Rain: God Sends Upon the Evil and Good Rain: God should be Feared on Account of Rain: God should be Praised For Rain: Impotence of Idols Exhibited in not Being Able to Give Rain: Miraculously Caused by Elijah Rain: Miraculously Caused by Samuel Rain: North Wind Unfavorable To Rain: Not Sent Upon the Earth Immediately After Creation Rain: Occasioned by the Condensing of the Clouds Rain: Often Impeded Travelling in the East Rain: Often Succeeded by Heat and Sunshine Rain: Promised in Due Season to the Obedient Rain: Rainy Season in Palestine is in the Ninth Month, Corresponding to December Rain: Storm and Tempest often With Rain: The Appearance of a Cloud from the West Indicated Rain: The Earth Will Never Again be Destroyed By Rain: The Former, After Harvest, to Prepare for Sowing Rain: The Lack of Causes the Earth to Open Rain: The Lack of Dries up Springs and Fountains Rain: The Lack of Occasions Famine Rain: The Lack of Removed by Prayer Rain: The Latter, Before Harvest Rain: The North Wind Drives Away Rain: The Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: The Rainbow often Appears During Rain: Thunder and Lightning often With Rain: Withheld for Three Years and Six Months in the Days of Elijah Rain: Withheld, in Answer to Prayer Related Terms Thunder-flames (8 Occurrences) |
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