And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.
The verse belongs to Samuel's farewell as he was leaving leadership while Israel was seeking a king. In it Israel answers that Samuel had not defrauded them, nor oppressed them, nor taken anything from any person's hand. That answer was the unanimous, public testimony of the people.
Their testimony vindicates the integrity, justice, and faithfulness of Samuel's long public service and leadership, showing he led without cheating, without unjust taking, and without taking a bribe. Their demand for a king was therefore not a genuine complaint against Samuel's conduct, for the wrongdoing of his sons served only as a pretext for a change they already wanted.
The verse belongs to Samuel's farewell as he was leaving leadership while Israel was seeking a king. In it Israel answers that Samuel had not defrauded them, nor oppressed them, nor taken anything from any person's hand. That answer was the unanimous, public testimony of the people.
Their testimony vindicates the integrity, justice, and faithfulness of Samuel's long public service and leadership, showing he led without cheating, without unjust taking, and without taking a bribe. Their demand for a king was therefore not a genuine complaint against Samuel's conduct, for the wrongdoing of his sons served only as a pretext for a change they already wanted.