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.

1 SAMUEL 12:3KJV
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1 Samuel 12:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:3 mean?

1 Samuel 12:3 shows Samuel publicly asking the people of Israel to testify if he has ever wronged them during his leadership—by taking anyone’s ox or donkey, cheating, oppressing, or accepting bribes. Samuel offers to make restitution if anyone brings a valid claim against him.

Samuel is speaking to the gathered Israelites as he steps down from leading them, with Saul newly anointed as king. He invites the people, before God and the new king, to judge his integrity and fairness as a leader. This moment sets a tone of accountability and transparency, showing Samuel’s confidence that he has served honestly.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:3

  • "witness" (עָנָה, anah): This word means to answer or testify. Samuel is inviting the people to speak up honestly and publicly if they have any accusation against him.
  • "anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This refers to Saul, the newly chosen king. By including Saul, Samuel recognizes the new leadership and submits himself to the same standard he expects of others.
  • "defrauded" (עָשַׁק, ashaq): This word carries the sense of cheating or taking advantage of someone. Samuel’s question emphasizes that he has not used his position to exploit anyone.
  • "bribe" (כֹּפֶר, kopher): This word means a ransom or bribe. Samuel is making clear that he has not accepted gifts to overlook wrongdoing or pervert justice.

Why 1 Samuel 12:3 matters

  • 1 Samuel 12:3 highlights Samuel’s personal integrity and sets a public example for leaders, showing that those in authority should be open to scrutiny.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by marking a transition from the period of judges to the monarchy, with Samuel affirming his blamelessness as he hands over leadership.
  • This verse clears up any suspicion or accusation about Samuel’s conduct, reinforcing trust in his leadership and in the process of appointing the new king.

Where else these words appear

“bribe” Hebrew H3724 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • 1 Samuel 6:18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
  • Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

“oppressed” Hebrew H7533 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
  • 2 Kings 18:21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
  • Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

“blind” Hebrew H5956 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
  • Deuteronomy 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

“defrauded” Hebrew H6231 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
  • Isaiah 52:4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.