1 Samuel 12:4 kjv
And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
1 Samuel 12:4 nkjv
And they said, "You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man's hand."
1 Samuel 12:4 niv
"You have not cheated or oppressed us," they replied. "You have not taken anything from anyone's hand."
1 Samuel 12:4 esv
They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand."
1 Samuel 12:4 nlt
"No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe."
1 Samuel 12 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 16:19 | "You shall not pervert justice...nor take a bribe..." | Forbids injustice and bribery in leadership. |
| Exod 23:8 | "You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted..." | Warns against bribes that corrupt judgment. |
| Prov 11:3 | "The integrity of the upright guides them..." | Integrity is a guiding principle. |
| Jer 22:3 | "Execute justice and righteousness...do no wrong or violence to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow..." | Commands just rule and no oppression. |
| Ezek 45:9 | "Put away violence and spoil, and execute justice and righteousness..." | God commands rulers to cease exploitation. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good...to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly..." | Summarizes God's righteous expectations. |
| Acts 20:33-35 | "I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel...laboring with my own hands..." | Paul's self-vindication of non-covetousness. |
| 1 Thess 2:5-6 | "For we never came with words of flattery...nor with a pretext for greed...nor did we seek glory from people..." | Paul's exemplary leadership free from greed. |
| Heb 13:5 | "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content..." | Encourages contentment over covetousness. |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | "...not greedy for money; but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous." | Qualities for spiritual leaders, no greed. |
| Job 31:7-8 | "If my step has turned aside from the way...if my hand has touched what is false..." | Job's appeal to integrity and blamelessness. |
| Num 16:15 | "I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not wronged any of them." | Moses' similar self-vindication of integrity. |
| Psalm 15:3 | "...who does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend..." | Describes one who walks blamelessly before God. |
| Psalm 72:4 | "May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor." | Describes a righteous king who protects and does not oppress. |
| Isa 1:17 | "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression..." | God's call to his people to combat oppression. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress..." | Commands righteous judgment and mercy. |
| Amos 5:24 | "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." | Prophetic call for overwhelming justice. |
| Matt 23:23 | "Woe to you...for you pay tithe...and neglect the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness." | Jesus emphasizes justice and mercy. |
| Luke 3:14 | "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation..." | Specific command against financial exploitation. |
| Rom 13:7 | "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed..." | Calls for fair dealings and honest payment. |
| Phil 4:11-12 | "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content...I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound." | Paul's contentment beyond material gain. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | "...shepherd the flock of God...not under compulsion, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but eagerly..." | Instruction for spiritual leaders to avoid greed. |
1 Samuel 12 verses
1 Samuel 12 4 Meaning
This verse records the formal declaration of the people of Israel affirming Samuel's impeccable integrity as their judge and leader. They testify that he did not defraud them financially, oppress them physically or socially, nor did he take any bribe or unjust gain from anyone during his long tenure. It is a public vindication of his blameless character before God and the nation, contrasting with the often-corrupt practices of leaders in that era.
1 Samuel 12 4 Context
Samuel chapter 12 details Samuel's farewell address to the people of Israel as they establish Saul as their first king. Having guided the nation as prophet and judge for decades, Samuel uses this momentous transition to affirm his righteous conduct before God and the nation. The chapter serves as Samuel's personal vindication and a solemn warning to Israel regarding the perils of turning away from God. This specific verse, 1 Sam 12:4, is the people's direct affirmation in response to Samuel's challenge in verse 3, where he asked if he had taken anything from them or defrauded anyone. Their unanimous agreement validates his integrity and stands as a testament to his exemplary leadership amidst a populace craving a human king. Historically, leaders in the ancient Near East often abused their power, enriching themselves through various forms of extortion, bribery, and oppression. Samuel's unblemished record stands in stark contrast to such widespread corruption and implicitly critiques the worldly ambitions that fueled the desire for a king "like all the nations."
1 Samuel 12 4 Word analysis
- And they said: This collective response signifies a unanimous, public testimony. It’s not just a few individuals but the whole assembly of Israel, validating Samuel’s character before a divine and national audience.
- Thou hast not defrauded us:
- Hebrew: עָשַׁק (`‘ashaq`). This verb means "to oppress, defraud, extort, exact illegally, wrong, abuse, crush."
- Significance: It implies taking property or money from someone by unfair means, coercion, or abuse of power. It often involves economic injustice. This goes beyond simple theft to highlight the misuse of authority for personal gain, which was common among ancient rulers. Samuel is cleared of all such abuses.
- nor oppressed us:
- Hebrew: רָצַץ (`ratsats`). This verb means "to crush, break, oppress, maltreat, bruise."
- Significance: While overlapping with `‘ashaq`, `ratsats` carries a stronger sense of crushing or breaking, suggesting a more direct, perhaps even violent or physically demanding, form of subjugation or harm. It encompasses causing severe hardship, violating rights, or exerting tyrannical pressure. It underscores that Samuel did not inflict hardship or act as a tyrant.
- neither hast thou taken aught:
- Hebrew: לָקַח (`laqach`) in this context refers to taking unlawfully, often implies accepting a bribe or illicit gain. The construction "taken aught" (לָקַח מִיַּד `laqach miyad`, "taken from the hand of") is idiomatic for receiving, specifically as a payment or bribe.
- Significance: This specifically addresses bribery or any form of unlawful acquisition through his position. It clears Samuel of corruption, a common accusation against public officials. His hands are clean of illicit profits.
- of any man's hand:
- Significance: This phrase emphasizes the universality of Samuel’s integrity. Not from one person, nor a specific group, but from any person. It highlights the absolute purity of his dealings. It confirms his refusal to benefit from his office by taking anything that was not freely given or legally due. This contrasts with practices where officials might demand payment for their services, blurring the lines between legitimate fees and illicit bribes.
- "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us": This dual declaration comprehensively covers various forms of official misconduct, from financial exploitation (defrauding) to social or physical harm/burden (oppression). It means Samuel's leadership was characterized by fairness and absence of personal imposition. It showcases his commitment to justice for all.
- "neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand": This phrase specifically negates the accusation of bribery or extorting unjust gain. It speaks to his incorruptibility and selfless service. In a period rife with corrupt officials who would abuse their positions for personal wealth, this statement is a profound testament to Samuel’s integrity. It emphasizes his complete detachment from any form of personal profit through his public office, validating his moral authority to rebuke the people and the future kings.
1 Samuel 12 4 Bonus section
This public vindication of Samuel's character is crucial as it positions him as a righteous transition figure. His integrity, affirmed by the people, sets an implicit standard for Saul, the new king, and all future kings. The people’s affirmation of Samuel's pure leadership directly confronts the underlying rationale for kingship found in 1 Samuel 8 – the desire to be "like all the nations." Most nations’ kings were characterized by "taking" (1 Sam 8:11-17), demanding and extracting from their subjects. Samuel, in contrast, "did not take" from the people. This verse thus stands as a polemic against the abuses of secular monarchy and highlights what a true, God-honoring ruler should be like, even as Israel turns to a human king. It highlights a critical paradox: Israel demands a king to protect them, yet Samuel, without a kingly title, has perfectly demonstrated protective and selfless leadership.
1 Samuel 12 4 Commentary
Samuel's profound question and the people's resounding affirmation in 1 Samuel 12:4 serve as a powerful testament to the spiritual and ethical purity of his leadership. In an era where leaders frequently abused their power for personal gain and to oppress their constituents, Samuel stood apart. This public declaration clears his name before the momentous shift from judges to kingship, reinforcing the divine standard for leadership. It underscores that true service in God's name is selfless, devoid of covetousness, exploitation, or the misuse of authority for financial enrichment. His life thus becomes a moral benchmark, contrasting sharply with the corrupt leadership Israel had witnessed in figures like Eli's sons, and foreshadowing the failures of many kings to come. Samuel exemplifies the principle that power, when wielded righteously, is for serving and blessing, not for personal accumulation or societal detriment. It teaches us that authentic spiritual authority is validated by impeccable conduct and the consent of those served.