1 Samuel 12:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They answered, "You haven't defrauded or oppressed us, and you have accepted nothing from anyone."

Berean Standard Bible:

“You have not wronged us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.”

American Standard Version:

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man’s hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they said^{H559}, Thou hast not defrauded^{H6231} us, nor oppressed^{H7533} us, neither hast thou taken^{H3947} ought^{H3972} of any man's^{H376} hand^{H3027}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 12:4

1 Samuel 12:4 is a verse that captures a significant moment in the history of Israel, reflecting the relationship between the leader and the people. This verse is part of Samuel's address to the nation after they have demanded a king to rule over them, a request that symbolized a rejection of Samuel's leadership and a desire for a monarchy similar to that of other nations. In this context, the people respond to Samuel, affirming that he has been a just and fair leader. They declare that Samuel has not defrauded them, oppressed them, or taken anything unjustly from anyone.

The themes present in this verse include integrity, justice, and good governance. Samuel, who served as a judge and prophet, is being acknowledged for his upright conduct throughout his tenure. The people's statement reflects the expectation that leaders should not abuse their power for personal gain but should act in the best interest of those they lead. This moment also underscores the transition from a theocracy, where God was recognized as the ultimate ruler of Israel, to a monarchy, which would be led by human kings.

Historically, this verse is situated after the period of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance among the Israelites. Samuel's leadership marked the end of this era, and his integrity stood in stark contrast to the corruption that often plagued the period of the Judges. The affirmation by the people in 1 Samuel 12:4 sets a standard for leadership and serves as a poignant reminder of the values that should guide those in power, as well as the rights of the people to expect honesty and fairness from their leaders.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6231
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשַׁק
   Transliteration: ʻâshaq
   Pronunciation: aw-shak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare עָשַׂק); to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow; get deceitfully, deceive, defraud, drink up, (use) oppress(-ion), -or), do violence (wrong).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7533
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָצַץ
   Transliteration: râtsats
   Pronunciation: raw-tsats'
   Description: a primitive root; to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively; break, bruise, crush, discourage, oppress, struggle together.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3972
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְאוּמָה
   Transliteration: mᵉʼûwmâh
   Pronunciation: meh-oo'-maw
   Description: apparently a form of מאוּם; properly, a speck or point, i.e. (by implication) something; with negative, nothing; fault, [phrase] no(-ught), ought, somewhat, any (no-)thing.
   
6. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.