Samuel's Address to the People

121 Then Samuel addressed all Israel: "I have done as you asked and given you a king. 2 Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you-an old, gray-haired man-and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day. 3 Now testify against me in the presence of the Lord and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong." 4 "No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe." 5 "The Lord and his anointed one are my witnesses today," Samuel declared, "that my hands are clean." "Yes, he is a witness," they replied.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:1-5

Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:1-5

(Read 1 Samuel 12:1-5)

Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public stations, which is, to guard it against unjust blame and suspicions, that they may finish their course with honour, as well as with joy. And that we have in our places lived honestly, will be our comfort, under any slights and contempt that may be put upon us.