1 Samuel 12:1 - Meaning and Application

Samuel begins by giving the people a short account of the recent change in government and the present state of things, as a kind of introduction to what he will say next (1 Samuel 12:1, 12:2). He reminds them that he had served them all his life. From childhood on, he had walked before them like a guide and a shepherd leading his flock (Psalm 80:1). He had started serving them when he was young, as soon as God gave him prophetic light, and he had continued until old age.

He now says plainly that he is old and gray-headed. That makes their rejection of him even more unkind, but it also makes him more willing to step aside, since the burden of rule had become heavy for him. His age should have given his words greater weight, since many years bring wisdom, and older rulers and ministers deserve special respect. He also hints that he may not have many more chances to speak to them, so they should pay close attention now.

He then speaks about his sons. “They are with you,” he says, meaning they are still there and can be called to account if they have done wrong. They have not fled after this change in leadership. They are under Saul’s rule just like everyone else, so if anyone can prove a charge against them, let it be brought through proper legal process, with punishment and repayment if needed.

Samuel also reminds them that he had agreed to their request for a king (1 Samuel 12:1). He had listened to their voice and done what they asked, even though it meant setting himself and his family aside. Now he asks them to listen to him in return. The change in government was complete, for the king now stood before them in public and was ready to handle public matters (1 Samuel 12:2). Since they had chosen to be like the nations in their civil rule and had set aside God’s direct rule, they must be careful not to copy the nations in religion as well and abandon the worship of God.

Samuel then makes a solemn appeal about his own honesty in office (1 Samuel 12:3). “Witness against me,” he says. “Whose ox have I taken?” He means to show them that they had wronged him by setting him aside, since they could not point to any fault in his rule. The only thing wrong with his government was that it was too gentle and too inexpensive. He also wanted to defend his own name, because people hearing that he had been rejected might assume he had done something evil. It was important for him to leave behind a clear record that he was removed not for wrongdoing, but to please a restless people who did not ask for a better ruler, only a taller one.

This appeal also serves as an example for the man who would follow him. Samuel wants his successor to learn from his example and do the same kind of fair and honest work. He also intends, by the end of his speech, to rebuke the people. For that reason he begins by clearing himself first, since anyone who corrects others with confidence must make sure his own hands are clean.

In his appeal, Samuel denies three kinds of wrongdoing. First, he says he never took what was not his, whether ox or donkey. He had never seized their livestock for taxes, penalties, or lost property, and he had never used their service without paying for it. Second, he had never cheated anyone he dealt with or mistreated those under his authority. Third, he had never taken bribes or let personal favor twist his judgment.

He then calls on the people who had set him aside to testify against him. “Here I am,” he says. “Witness against me if you have anything to bring up, before the Lord and the king, the proper judges.” In this way he honors Saul too, by acknowledging that, if he had done wrong, he was answerable to the new king.

Samuel is honored by the result. He did not expect the people to praise him at parting, though he deserved it. So he does not remind them of the good he had done, which they ought to have thanked him for. He only asks for justice, and they give it. They agree that he had not ruled them harshly or used his power to hurt them. They also agree that he had not made their burden heavier by taking anything from them for his own support. Like Nehemiah, who did not require the governor’s food allowance (Nehemiah 5:18), Samuel had been righteous and generous. He had not desired anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing (Acts 20:33).

This public witness to Samuel’s honesty is kept on record to his honor (1 Samuel 12:5). The Lord is witness, because he searches the heart, and his anointed is witness, because he tests outward actions. The people also agree: “He is witness.” The testimony of neighbors, and especially the testimony of our own conscience, that we have lived honestly in our place, is a comfort when others treat us with disrespect. Demetrius is a happy man who has a good report from all people and from the truth itself (3 John 1:12).