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Thursday, August 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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World English Bible

1 Samuel 12:18

So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena;   Miracles;   Rain;   Repentance;   Symbols and Similitudes;   Thunder;   Thompson Chain Reference - Meteorology;   Miracles;   Rain;   Storms;   Thunder;   Weather;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Harvest, the;   Kings;   Miracles Wrought through Servants of God;   Rain;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Clouds;   Miracle;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Awe, Awesome;   King, Kingship;   Mediator, Mediation;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Thunder;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Rain;   Thunder;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Cloud;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Samuel;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Israel;   Kingdom of God;   Samuel, Books of;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Saul;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Palestine;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cloud;   Judah Ii.;   Thunder;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Samuel called on the Lord, and on that day the Lord sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
Hebrew Names Version
So Shemu'el called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Shemu'el.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
So Samuel called out to Yahweh, and Yahweh brought thunder and rain that same day, so all the people feared Yahweh and Samuel greatly.
English Standard Version
So Samuel called upon the Lord , and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
New Century Version
Then Samuel prayed to the Lord , and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So the people were very afraid of the Lord and Samuel.
New English Translation
So Samuel called to the Lord , and the Lord made it thunder and rain that day. All the people were very afraid of both the Lord and Samuel.
Amplified Bible
So Samuel called to the LORD [in prayer], and He sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
New American Standard Bible
So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then Samuel called vnto the Lorde, and the Lorde sent thunder and raine the same day: and all the people feared the Lorde and Samuel exceedingly.
Legacy Standard Bible
So Samuel called to Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.
Contemporary English Version
Samuel prayed, and that same day the Lord sent a thunderstorm. Everyone was afraid of the Lord and of Samuel.
Complete Jewish Bible
Sh'mu'el called to Adonai , and Adonai sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people became very much afraid of Adonai and Sh'mu'el.
Darby Translation
And Samuel called to Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
Easy-to-Read Version
So Samuel prayed to the Lord . That same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. And the people became very afraid of the Lord and Samuel.
George Lamsa Translation
Then Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain on that place; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
Good News Translation
So Samuel prayed, and on that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. Then all the people became afraid of the Lord and of Samuel,
Literal Translation
And Samuel called to Jehovah. And Jehovah gave sounds and rain in that day. And all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And whan Samuel called vpon the LORDE, the LORDE caused it to thoder and raine the same daye. Then all the people feared the LORDE greatly and Samuel,
American Standard Version
So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
Bible in Basic English
So Samuel made prayer to the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people were in fear of the Lord and of Samuel.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And so Samuel called vnto the Lord, and the Lorde sent thunder and rayne the same day: And all the people feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
King James Version (1611)
So Samuel called vnto the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and raine that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunders and rain in that day; and all the people feared greatly the Lord and Samuel.
English Revised Version
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.
Berean Standard Bible
So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Samuel criede to the Lord, and the Lord yaf voices and reynes in that dai.
Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel calleth unto Jehovah, and Jehovah giveth voices and rain, on that day, and all the people greatly fear Jehovah and Samuel;
Update Bible Version
So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.
Webster's Bible Translation
So Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
New King James Version
So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
New Living Translation
So Samuel called to the Lord , and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the Lord and of Samuel.
New Life Bible
So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were very much afraid of the Lord and Samuel.
New Revised Standard
So Samuel called upon the Lord , and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So Samuel cried unto Yahweh, and Yahweh gave forth thunderings and rain, on that day, - and all the people greatly feared Yahweh, and Samuel.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Samuel cried unto the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day.
Revised Standard Version
So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
THE MESSAGE
Samuel prayed to God , and God sent thunder and rain that same day. The people were greatly afraid and in awe of God and of Samuel.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

Contextual Overview

16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes. 17 Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking you a king. 18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. 19 All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king. 20 Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart: 21 and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain. 22 For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself. 23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you. 25 But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

sent thunder: Exodus 9:23-25, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 11:6

feared: Exodus 14:31, Ezra 10:9, Psalms 106:12, Psalms 106:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:16 - thunders Joshua 4:14 - they feared him 1 Samuel 2:10 - he thunder 2 Samuel 22:14 - thundered 1 Kings 3:28 - feared 1 Chronicles 29:20 - worshipped Job 36:31 - by Job 37:13 - whether Job 38:28 - Hath the Job 38:34 - General Psalms 72:5 - They shall Psalms 99:6 - they called Proverbs 26:1 - in summer Isaiah 29:6 - General Jeremiah 10:13 - maketh Mark 4:41 - feared Romans 13:7 - fear to James 5:16 - The effectual

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 4:10
Yahweh said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.
Genesis 12:9
Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
Genesis 12:10
There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was sore in the land.
Genesis 12:11
It happened, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look on.
Genesis 31:26
Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?
Genesis 44:15
Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Don't you know that such a man as I can indeed divine?"
Exodus 32:21
Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people to you, that you have brought a great sin on them?"
Joshua 7:19
Joshua said to Achan, My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him; and tell me now what you have done; don't hide it from me.
1 Samuel 14:43
Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and, behold, I must die.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

So Samuel called unto the Lord,.... Not in an authoritative way, or by way of command, but by prayer; so the Targum renders the clause in the preceding verse,

"I will pray before the Lord:''

and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; immediately, though there was no appearance of it; it was harvest time, and a fine harvest day. Josephus says p he sent thunder, lightning, and hail, a terrible storm and tempest it was:

and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel; the Lord that sent this tempest, and Samuel who had such power with God in prayer. Clement of Alexandria q thinks that from hence the Greeks borrowed their fable concerning Aeacus invoking God, when there was a drought in Greece; and as soon as he prayed, immediately there was thunder, and the whole air was covered with clouds; but perhaps they rather framed it from the instance of Elijah praying for rain r, at whose request it came, 1 Kings 18:42.

p Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 6. q Stromat. l. 6. p. 630. r Vid. Schmid. in Pindar. Nemea, Ode 5. p. 110.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 12:18. The Lord sent thunder and rain that day — This was totally unusual; and, as it came at the call of Samuel, was a most evident miracle.

Greatly feared the Lord — They dreaded His terrible majesty; and they feared Samuel, perceiving that he had so much power with God.


 
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