1 Samuel 12:4
ESV
They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man 's hand."
NIV
"You have not cheated or oppressed us," they replied. "You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand."
NASB
And they said, 'You have not exploited us or oppressed us, or taken anything from anyone’s hand.'
CSB
"You haven’t wronged us, you haven’t mistreated us, and you haven’t taken anything from anyone," they responded.
NLT
No,' they replied, 'you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.'
KJV
And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
NKJV
And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.”
What does 1 Samuel 12:4 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on 1 Samuel chapter 12, verse-level content coming soon!First Samuel 12:1–5 begins Samuel's speech announcing that he will no longer be Israel's judge. Saul will be fully empowered as king. The address begins with an opportunity for anyone with a grievance to accuse Samuel. The people testify that Samuel has not acted in any improper way. This establishes that what he says next can be trusted.
Samuel gives a speech to the gathered people of Israel, including Saul, the new king. This marks the end of his time as judge over Israel (Judges 2:16–19). He establishes a legal declaration that he is innocent of any corruption. After summarizing God's faithfulness to Israel, Samuel demonstrates that it was wrong of the people to ask for a human king. Yet he assures them of the Lord's faithfulness. He tells them to follow the Lord or be swept away along with their king. Samuel also affirms that he will continue to pray for the people and instruct them in the ways of God.
