1 Samuel 12:1-8

1 Shemu'el said to all Yisra'el, Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

2 Now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day.

3 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 defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

4 They said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand.

5 He said to them, the LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. They said, He is witness.

6 Shemu'el said to the people, It is the LORD who appointed Moshe and Aharon, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Mitzrayim.

7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

8 When Ya`akov was come into Mitzrayim, and your fathers cried to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moshe and Aharon, who brought forth your fathers out of Mitzrayim, and made them to dwell in this place.

1 Samuel 12:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 12

In this chapter Samuel, resigning the government to Saul, asserts the integrity with which he had performed his office, and calls upon the people of Israel to attest it, who did, 1Sa 12:1-5, he then reminds them of the great and good things the Lord had done for them in times past, 1Sa 12:6-11 and whereas they had desired a king, and one was given them, it was their interest to fear and serve the Lord; if not, his hand would be against them, 1Sa 12:10-15 he terrifies them by calling for thunder in an unusual time, 1Sa 12:16-19 and then comforts and encourages them, that in doing their duty God would be with them, and not forsake them, otherwise they might expect nothing but ruin and destruction, 1Sa 12:20-25.