1 Samuel 12:3

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.

Behold, here I am: witness {H6030} against me before the LORD {H3068}, and before his anointed {H4899}: whose ox {H7794} have I taken {H3947}? or whose ass {H2543} have I taken {H3947}? or whom have I defrauded {H6231}? whom have I oppressed {H7533}? or of whose hand {H3027} have I received any bribe {H3724} to blind {H5956} mine eyes {H5869} therewith? and I will restore {H7725} it you.

So here I am; now is the time to witness against me before ADONAI and before his anointed king. Does any of you think I have taken your ox or donkey, defrauded or oppressed you, or accepted a bribe to deprive you of justice? Tell me, and I will restore it to you."

Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”

Here I am: witness against me before Jehovah, 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 taken a ransom to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 12:3

This verse is part of Samuel's poignant farewell address to the nation of Israel, delivered as they were making the momentous transition from a judgeship to a monarchy under King Saul. Samuel, who had faithfully served Israel as prophet and judge for many years (1 Samuel 7:15), is now stepping back from his direct judicial role. Before the LORD and the newly appointed King Saul, Samuel challenges the people to bear witness against him, daring them to find any instance of corruption or abuse of power during his long tenure. This public self-vindication served to underscore his blameless leadership and highlight the gravity of Israel's decision to reject God's direct rule in favor of a human king.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Integrity in Leadership: Samuel's challenge here highlights the crucial importance of integrity and righteousness in leadership. He sets a high standard, demonstrating that true authority is exercised with fairness and without personal gain.
  • Accountability: By inviting public scrutiny, Samuel exemplifies true accountability. He was willing to be judged by his actions and the witness of the people he served, emphasizing transparency and moral uprightness.
  • Justice and Fairness: The specific questions Samuel poses—concerning taking property, defrauding, oppressing, or taking bribes—directly address common abuses of power by those in authority. His blamelessness in these areas underscores his commitment to justice for all.
  • A Model of Service: Samuel's life and this declaration serve as a powerful model of selfless service to God and His people, contrasting sharply with the corrupt sons of Eli mentioned earlier in 1 Samuel.

Linguistic Insights

  • "his anointed" (מְשִׁיחוֹ - mĕshîḥô): This refers to King Saul, whom Samuel himself had anointed as king, signifying his divine appointment and authority. It reminds the people that even the king is under God's ultimate authority.
  • "whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken?": These questions refer to vital possessions in an agrarian society, representing common forms of theft or extortion. Samuel's innocence in these matters affirmed his respect for individual property rights.
  • "defrauded" (עָשַׁק - 'ashaq): This Hebrew verb implies oppression, extorting, or dealing unjustly, often by those in power. Samuel affirms he did not exploit his position.
  • "oppressed" (דָּכָא - daka'): This word means to crush, bruise, or oppress, often implying physical or emotional harm caused by harsh treatment.
  • "received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?": This is a powerful idiom, found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 23:8), indicating the perversion of justice and judgment caused by accepting illicit payments. Samuel's clear conscience on this point highlights his uncompromised integrity in legal matters.

Significance and Application

Samuel’s bold declaration in 1 Samuel 12:3 serves as a timeless example of living a life of demonstrable integrity, particularly for those in positions of leadership or influence. It teaches us that:

  • Character Matters: A leader's legacy is often defined not just by their achievements, but by their moral character and how they treat those under their authority.
  • Transparency is Key: Being open to scrutiny and inviting feedback helps build trust and validates one's actions.
  • Justice is Paramount: Those in power have a sacred duty to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and resist corruption in all its forms.
  • Personal Accountability: Like Samuel, believers are called to live lives that honor God and can withstand scrutiny, reflecting the righteousness of Christ (John 8:46).

This verse encourages all individuals, regardless of their position, to strive for blameless conduct and to maintain a clear conscience before God and humanity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 20:33

    I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

  • Numbers 16:15

    And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

  • 1 Samuel 24:6

    And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

  • 1 Peter 5:2

    Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  • Deuteronomy 16:19

    Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10

    Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

  • 1 Samuel 12:5

    And he said unto them, The LORD [is] witness against you, and his anointed [is] witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, [He is] witness.
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