121 Then Samuel said to all Israel , "Behold , I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me and I have appointed a king over you. 2 "Now , here is the king walking before you, but I am old and gray , and behold my sons are with you. And I have walked before you from my youth even to this day . 3 "Here I am; bear witness against me before the Lord and His anointed . Whose ox have I taken , or whose donkey have I taken , or whom have I defrauded ? Whom have I oppressed , or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you." 4 They said , "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from 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 found nothing e in my hand ." And they said , "He is witness ."
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.