Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Samuel 12:16-25

"Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Jehovah will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto Jehovah, that he may send thunder and rain; and ye shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of Jehovah, in asking you a king. So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart: and turn ye not aside; for [then would ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain. For Jehovah will not forsake his people for his great name`s sake, because it hath pleased Jehovah to make you a people unto himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king." — 1 Samuel 12:16-25 (ASV)

At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain at a time of year when, in that country, such an occurrence was not usually seen. This was to convince them that they had acted wickedly in asking for a king: this happened not only through the storm's arrival at an unusual time (during the wheat harvest and on a clear day) but also through the prophet's having given notice of it beforehand. He showed them their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God or Samuel, as they promised themselves more from an arm of flesh than from the arm of God or from the power of prayer.

Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could by his prayers? This startled them greatly. Some will not be brought to see their sins by any gentler methods than storms and thunders. They entreated Samuel to pray for them. Now they saw their need for him whom they had slighted shortly before. In this way, many who will not have Christ reign over them would still be glad to have Him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of God.

Samuel aimed to confirm the people in their religion. Whatever we make a god of, we will find that it deceives us. Creatures are good in their proper places; but when put in God's place, they become vain things. We sin if we restrain prayer, and particularly if we cease praying for the church. They only asked him to pray for them, but he promised to do more: to teach them.

He urged that they were bound by gratitude to serve God, considering what great things He had done for them; and also that they were bound by self-interest to serve Him, considering what He would do against them if they continued to act wickedly. Thus, as a faithful watchman, he gave them warning and so delivered his own soul. If we consider what great things the Lord has done for us, especially in the great work of redemption, we can lack neither motive, encouragement, nor assistance in serving Him.