1 Samuel 12:16 kjv
Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
1 Samuel 12:16 nkjv
"Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes:
1 Samuel 12:16 niv
"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!
1 Samuel 12:16 esv
Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes.
1 Samuel 12:16 nlt
"Now stand here and see the great thing the LORD is about to do.
1 Samuel 12 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 14:13 | But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD..." | Stand still & see God's deliverance |
| Deut 4:9 | Only take heed to yourself, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen... | Observe God's mighty acts |
| Deut 28:58 | "If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law...then the LORD will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues..." | Observe the Law; consequences of not |
| Ps 46:10 | "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" | Be still & know God's sovereignty |
| Isa 30:15 | For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength..." | Quietness leads to strength in God |
| Job 37:5 | God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. | God's great, incomprehensible acts |
| Jer 10:13 | When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth... | God's power over weather |
| Hos 8:4 | "They set up kings, but not by Me; They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them..." | Rejecting God's counsel in leadership |
| Joel 2:23 | Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully... | God provides rain in due season |
| Mt 24:7 | For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. | Signs preceding judgment |
| Lk 21:11 | And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. | Miraculous signs preceding events |
| Acts 2:19 | "I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke." | Signs to confirm divine working |
| Heb 2:4 | God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will; | God confirms His word through signs |
| Rev 15:3 | They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!" | Acknowledging God's great works |
| 1 Sam 7:13 | So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel... | Samuel's leadership validated by God |
| 1 Sam 8:7 | And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them." | Israel rejects God as King |
| 1 Sam 10:25 | Then Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the LORD. | Samuel establishes the law of the kingdom |
| 1 Sam 12:17 | "Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain..." | Direct fulfillment of the "great thing" |
| Neh 9:32 | "Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and awesome God, who keeps covenant and mercy..." | Description of God as great |
| Ps 29:3-9 | The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders... The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth... | God's powerful voice in nature |
| Jer 32:27 | "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?" | God's omnipotence to do great things |
| Mk 4:41 | And they feared a great fear, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" | Jesus' power over creation confirms His identity |
1 Samuel 12 verses
1 Samuel 12 16 Meaning
This verse serves as a solemn command from Samuel to the people of Israel to pause, focus their attention, and observe the mighty work the Lord is about to perform directly before them. It is a critical moment in Samuel's farewell address, designed to underscore God's continued sovereignty over Israel despite their recent choice of a human king, and to vividly demonstrate the gravity of their sin in rejecting Him as their sole monarch. The "great thing" foreshadows the miraculous thunder and rain that God would send during the dry wheat harvest, a divine sign affirming Samuel's prophetic authority and God's powerful displeasure with their sin.
1 Samuel 12 16 Context
First Samuel chapter 12 is a pivotal chapter often referred to as Samuel's farewell address or vindication speech, marking the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. Samuel, as Israel's final judge and a revered prophet, summons the nation to Gilgal where Saul's kingship is renewed. In his speech, Samuel challenges Israel, recalling his righteous leadership, affirming his integrity, and most importantly, rebuking them for their sin in desiring a king "like all the nations," which fundamentally implied a rejection of the Lord as their direct King (1 Sam 8:7). Verses 14-15 present the choice between obedience to the Lord and the consequences of disobedience for both king and people. Against this backdrop of covenant review and rebuke, 1 Samuel 12:16 prepares the people for an undeniable sign from God. The "great thing" specifically refers to the unusual storm in verse 17, which serves as a powerful divine affirmation of Samuel's words and a tangible demonstration of God's continuing involvement in Israel's affairs and His sovereignty even over natural phenomena, especially at a time (wheat harvest) when rain was unprecedented and seen as a curse or judgment.
1 Samuel 12 16 Word analysis
- Now therefore (וְעַתָּה֙ - vəʿattâ): This is a strong Hebrew transitional particle, indicating a logical conclusion or consequence derived from what has just been stated. It moves the discourse from the past review of Israel's history and their sin to an immediate call for action and attention. It signals a moment of significant importance.
- stand still (הִתְיַצְּב֧וּ - hityassəḇū): From the root יצב (yatsav). The Hithpael imperative form means to "present oneself," "take one's stand," or "stand firm." It implies stopping one's normal activity, settling down, and becoming fully attentive and composed. It is a command for intellectual and spiritual focus, not merely physical stillness. It conveys an earnest demand for solemn attention to God's forthcoming act.
- and see (וּרְאוּ֙ - ūrəʾū): From the root ראה (ra'ah), meaning "to see," "perceive," "look at," or "discern." The Qal imperative demands observation not just with the eyes but also with the mind and heart, to grasp the full significance of what is revealed. It signifies that the coming event is a visible demonstration of God's invisible power and judgment.
- this great thing (הַדָּבָ֣ר הַגָּדֹ֗ול - haddāḇār haggādôl):
- thing (דָּבָר - dāḇār): A remarkably broad Hebrew noun, encompassing "word," "matter," "thing," "event," "decree," or "report." Here, it specifically refers to the supernatural event Samuel is about to call down, confirming his message and God's displeasure.
- great (הַגָּדֹול - haggādôl): Emphasizes the immense, powerful, and significant nature of the act. It points to something extraordinary, undeniable, and indicative of divine intervention, surpassing human capabilities or natural occurrences.
- which the LORD will do (אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה - ʾăšer-yaʿaśeh YHVH):
- LORD (יְהוָה - YHVH): The personal, covenant name of God (Yahweh), underscoring that it is not merely Samuel or chance, but the sovereign God of Israel who is the active agent in this demonstration. This name invokes His faithfulness to the covenant, but also His judgment when it is broken.
- will do (יַעֲשֶׂה - yaʿaśeh): Future tense of the verb "to do" or "to make." It highlights that God is about to actively and directly perform this deed, not simply allowing it to happen. It affirms God's active involvement and intervention in human history.
- before your eyes (לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם - ləʿênêḵem): Literally "to their eyes," signifying direct and undeniable visibility. This ensures that there can be no mistake or doubt about the source or reality of the coming sign. It reinforces that the demonstration is public, observable, and unmistakable proof for all.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Now therefore stand still and see": This imperative cluster reflects a prophetic summons to complete attention and comprehension. It is a divine invitation to witness a revelation. It demands that Israel halt their rebellious thinking and look towards the true power at work, moving beyond a superficial view to a deeper, spiritual apprehension of God's mighty hand.
- "this great thing which the LORD will do": This phrase frames the coming event as an unparalleled demonstration of Yahweh's power. It confirms that the supernatural phenomenon is not mere chance but a direct act of the covenant God. It ties the coming sign explicitly to divine will and action, distinguishing it from natural occurrences.
- "before your eyes": Emphasizes the tangibility and immediacy of God's intervention. It ensures that the people cannot claim ignorance or doubt. It means the revelation will be clear, present, and unmistakable for all who are gathered, leaving no room for excuses regarding their sin or God's power.
1 Samuel 12 16 Bonus section
- Polemical Edge: This demonstration by Samuel has a clear polemic against the nature deities of surrounding cultures, particularly the Canaanite god Baal, who was believed to control rain and thunder. By God sending rain at an anomalous time in the dry season, it powerfully asserts Yahweh's absolute and exclusive sovereignty over creation and weather, proving that He, not Baal, is the true divine force in the land.
- Theophany Echoes: The display of thunder and rain is reminiscent of divine appearances (theophanies) throughout the Old Testament, such as at Mount Sinai (Ex 19), where God revealed Himself through similar natural phenomena, linking this event to the foundational experiences of God's covenant with Israel and His awe-inspiring presence.
- Continuity of Prophetic Role: Even with the establishment of a king, this event demonstrates that God's direct communication through His prophets remains paramount. Kings may rule the people, but they are still under the ultimate authority of the Prophet and the Law of God, mediated by the Prophet. Samuel reminds them that God still requires obedience.
1 Samuel 12 16 Commentary
In 1 Samuel 12:16, Samuel issues a profound call to Israel, transcending a mere physical instruction to pause. He commands a solemn stillness and focused observation of God's immediate action. This divine act, described as a "great thing," refers to the miraculous thunderstorm during the dry wheat harvest (1 Sam 12:17), which served as undeniable proof of God's sovereignty over nature and His commitment to His covenant.
The verse emphasizes three critical aspects: First, God's continuing authority. Despite Israel's rejection of Him as king in favor of a human monarch (1 Sam 8:7), God is not disengaged. He remains the true ruler, able to manifest His power and judgment directly. Second, it vindicates Samuel's prophetic ministry. The immediate, dramatic fulfillment of Samuel's word by God confirms him as a legitimate prophet, whose words are indeed God's words (Deut 18:22). This was crucial given the profound change in Israel's leadership structure. Third, it serves as a striking reminder of Israel's sin and God's holiness. The "great thing" would instigate a sense of "fear of the Lord" (1 Sam 12:18), leading the people to acknowledge their profound error and seek forgiveness (1 Sam 12:19). The miraculous rain and thunder during a typically dry season underscore that God's judgment, like His blessings, operates outside of human expectations or natural cycles when He chooses. The "stand still and see" is an enduring invitation to quiet attentiveness, knowing that genuine understanding of God’s works comes through surrendered observation. It implies that true wisdom is not found in seeking what others have (like a king "like all the nations"), but in recognizing and responding to what God uniquely performs.