And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

1 SAMUEL 12:5KJV
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1 Samuel 12:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:5 mean?

1 Samuel 12:5 records Samuel declaring before the people of Israel that both the LORD and His anointed (the king) are witnesses that Samuel has not wronged or cheated anyone during his leadership. The people agree, confirming that Samuel is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Samuel is speaking to all Israel at a public gathering, stepping down from his role as judge now that Saul has become king. Samuel calls on the LORD (the personal name for God) and the newly anointed king as witnesses to his honesty and integrity, asking the people to confirm he has not taken anything unjustly. The people’s response affirms Samuel’s blamelessness as a leader.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:5

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that Samuel is appealing to the highest authority as his witness.
  • anointed (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This word refers to the king, Saul, who has just been anointed. By including the king as a witness, Samuel recognizes the new leadership and the transition of authority.
  • witness (עֵד, ed): Used several times in this verse, this word means someone who can testify to the truth of a matter. The repetition underscores the seriousness and formality of Samuel’s declaration.
  • found (מָצָא, matsa): This verb means “to find.” Samuel is asking if anyone has found any fault or wrongdoing in his actions, making his question very concrete and personal.

Why 1 Samuel 12:5 matters

  • This verse clears up any suspicion about Samuel’s leadership, showing that he did not abuse his power or take advantage of the people.
  • It highlights the peaceful and honest transition from Samuel’s leadership as judge to the new era under the monarchy, with Saul as king.
  • The public agreement of the people strengthens Samuel’s legacy and sets a standard for integrity in leadership, both for the people and for the new king.

Where else these words appear

“ought” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 1 Kings 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“anointed” Hebrew H4899 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 1 Samuel 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

“witness” Hebrew H5707 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 31:44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
  • Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.