Keraia
1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12:3

Samuel’s Farewell Address · 1 Samuel 12:1–25
Read 1 Samuel 12

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
Behold, witness against me before YHWH and before His anointed. The ox of whom have I taken? Or the donkey of whom have I taken? Or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? Or from the hand of whom have I received a bribe and hidden my eyes with it? And I will restore it to you.”
Latin
Loquimini de me coram Domino, et coram christo ejus, utrum bovem cujusquam tulerim, aut asinum: si quempiam calumniatus sum, si oppressi aliquem, si de manu cujusquam munus accepi: et contemnam illud hodie, restituamque vobis.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

1 Samuel 12:3

  • God chose Saul as the anointed one (see 1 Samuel 9:16).

  • Whose ox or donkey have I taken?: Compare with Numbers 16:15.

  • Whom have I cheated or oppressed?: This contrasts with the actions of kings (1 Samuel 8:11–16).

  • have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes?: No, but Samuel’s sons did (1 Samuel 8:3).

1 Samuel 12:1–25

The confirmation of Saul as king at Gilgal was the last step in making him king (1 Samuel 11:12–15). It was also a suitable time for Samuel to give his farewell speech as Israel's leader.

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel

Events

Glossary

Anoint Bethel (Place), Bethelite Bribe, Bribery Ransom Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Magistrates: Good: Samuel Rulers: Righteous: Samuel, in not Receiving Compensation for Judgment Samuel: His Integrity As a Judge and Ruler Self-Denial: Samuel, in his Administration of Justice the Domestic Donkey: Often Taken Unlawfully by Corrupt Rulers