1 Samuel 12 3

1 Samuel 12:3 kjv

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

1 Samuel 12:3 nkjv

Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you."

1 Samuel 12:3 niv

Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right."

1 Samuel 12:3 esv

Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you."

1 Samuel 12:3 nlt

Now testify against me in the presence of the LORD and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong."

1 Samuel 12 verses

1 Samuel 12 3 Meaning

In this verse, Samuel, at the culmination of his judgeship, issues a profound challenge to the Israelite people. He publicly presents himself for scrutiny, inviting them to accuse him of any wrongdoing throughout his tenure as their leader. He specifically queries if he has taken anyone's property (ox or donkey), defrauded or oppressed anyone, or accepted any bribe that would pervert his judgment. By asking these questions "before the Lord and His anointed," he places himself under both divine and human accountability, affirming his integrity and willingness to rectify any proven injustice. This serves as a moral foundation for his subsequent discourse regarding the people's choice for a king.

1 Samuel 12 3 Context

1 Samuel chapter 12 takes place at a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the transition from a decentralized system led by judges to a monarchy under King Saul. Samuel, the last great judge and a prominent prophet, has anointed Saul as king (1 Sam 10) and confirmed his kingship at Gilgal (1 Sam 11). Chapter 12 records Samuel's valedictory address to the nation, delivered before the newly appointed King Saul. Before admonishing the people for their demand for a human king and reminding them of God's faithful past, Samuel first asserts his own unblemished record of service. This verse is the cornerstone of his ethical self-vindication, establishing his moral authority to speak freely and justly to the assembly, setting a pure standard against which their actions and the future king's rule can be judged.

1 Samuel 12 3 Word analysis

• Here I am (הִנֵּ֣נִי - hinnēnî): A solemn declaration of availability and readiness to face scrutiny or undertake a task. In this context, it signifies Samuel presenting himself directly to the people for their direct witness and accountability. It's a statement of self-submission and humility before God and the nation.
• Testify against me (עֲנ֧וּ בִ֣י - ʿănû bî): A direct challenge, literally "answer concerning me." It invites the people to formally present any accusations or evidence of wrongdoing. This public invitation emphasizes Samuel's confidence in his blameless conduct.
• before the Lord (נֶ֣גֶד יְהוָ֔ה - neged YHVH): Signifies that this public accountability is not merely human but takes place under the direct gaze and ultimate judgment of God. This adds immense gravity and solemnity to the proceeding.
• and His anointed (וְנֶ֖גֶד מְשִׁיחֽוֹ - v'neged mashiḥo): Refers to King Saul, the recently anointed king chosen by God. This indicates that Samuel is also submitting himself to the authority of the new human king and his presence, demonstrating respect for the new governmental structure, even as he previously administered under God's direct rule.
• Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken?: Oxen and donkeys were primary assets, crucial for livelihood, farming, and transport. Taking them constituted a severe economic deprivation and theft (Ex 20:15). Samuel specifically challenges accusations of misappropriation of personal property, asserting that he did not enrich himself from his position.
• Whom have I defrauded? (אִ֣ישׁ עָשַׁ֔קְתִּי - ʾîš ʿāšaqtî): To defraud (ʿāšaq) implies injustice, oppression, or exploitation, particularly of the vulnerable (e.g., widow, orphan, sojourner). It refers to withholding what is due or taking advantage through an unfair or unrighteous act.
• Whom have I oppressed? (אִ֖ישׁ רַצּוֹתִ֑י - ʾîš raṣṣôtî): To oppress (raṣaṣ) often carries a stronger sense of crushing, grinding down, or violent oppression, physically or by abuse of power. It signifies cruel or unjust treatment causing severe distress, distinct from merely taking property, referring to personal suffering caused.
• Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe (וּמִיַּד־מִי֙ לָקַ֣חְתִּי כֹ֔פֶר - ūmîyaḏ-mî lāqaḥtî kōper): A bribe (kōper) here refers to a payment offered to influence a decision or action. Samuel addresses judicial corruption directly, emphasizing that he maintained integrity in his judicial duties as a judge.
• to blind my eyes with it? (וָאַעְלִ֤ים עֵינַי֙ בּ֔וֹ - vāʾaʿlîm ʿênay bō): This vivid idiom describes the effect of a bribe – to cause a judge to ignore the truth, to turn a blind eye to injustice, or to pervert the course of judgment (Deut 16:19; Ex 23:8). It highlights the ethical corruption that accompanies taking illicit gain, leading to a biased and unjust outcome.
• And I will restore it to you.: This promise indicates Samuel's commitment to immediate and full restitution if any legitimate charge were brought against him. It underlines his profound confidence in his own integrity and his commitment to the Mosaic Law regarding restitution (Num 5:6-7), further solidifying his blameless reputation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "before the Lord and His anointed": This phrase establishes the double authority under which Samuel seeks affirmation. It connects human justice and accountability to divine judgment, asserting that integrity must stand up to both earthly and heavenly scrutiny.
• "Whose ox... Or whose donkey... Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it?": This series of rhetorical questions constitutes an exhaustive list covering key areas of a leader's potential abuses: property theft, economic exploitation, direct personal mistreatment, and judicial corruption. The cumulative effect emphasizes the breadth and depth of Samuel's blameless conduct.
• "taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it": This phrase specifically links bribery with the perversion of justice, highlighting how financial corruption directly undermines the foundation of righteousness in leadership, leading to a biased outlook and outcome.

1 Samuel 12 3 Bonus section

Samuel's conduct here echoes the ideal found in Mosaic Law for leaders, especially judges and kings, emphasizing non-exploitation and integrity. It provides a stark contrast not only to corrupt human systems but also indirectly highlights the spiritual nature of Israel's request for a king: they sought a human leader when their divine King had proven utterly faithful. Samuel's unblemished record makes their desire for a king unmistakably a rejection of God, rather than a justified protest against human misrule. This public audit ensures that when the people ask for a king, it is a conscious decision from their end. The people's immediate and unequivocal affirmation of Samuel's integrity (1 Sam 12:4) validates his standing and elevates the significance of his subsequent prophetic rebuke.

1 Samuel 12 3 Commentary

Samuel's challenging declaration in 1 Samuel 12:3 serves as a powerful testament to his unwavering integrity during his long tenure as Israel's judge. Unlike the common practices of many ancient Near Eastern rulers, or even the corrupt behavior of his own sons (1 Sam 8:3), Samuel did not use his office for personal gain. His questions are not merely rhetorical; they are an open invitation for public verification, conducted under the sacred witness of God and the temporal authority of the new king, Saul. This self-vindication was crucial. First, it cemented his moral authority as he prepared to deliver God's message, reminding Israel of God's faithfulness and their sin in rejecting Him for a king. Second, it set an exemplary, albeit unattainable for future kings, standard for leadership – a standard of selfless service, impartial justice, and freedom from avarice. Samuel's blameless conduct points ultimately to the perfect righteousness of Christ, who truly "committed no sin" (1 Pet 2:22), and whose public life withstood every scrutiny without flaw.