1 Samuel 12:4
1 Samuel 12:4 in Multiple Translations
“You have not wronged us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.”
And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.
And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man’s hand.
And they said, You have never been untrue to us or cruel to us; you have taken nothing from any man.
“No, you have never cheated or oppressed us,” they replied, “and you have never taken anything from anyone.”
Then they sayde, Thou hast done vs no wrong, nor hast hurt vs, neither hast thou taken ought of any mans hand.
And they say, 'Thou hast not oppressed us, nor hast thou crushed us, nor hast thou taken from the hand of any one anything.'
They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.”
And they said thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught from any man's hand.
And they said: Thou hast not wronged us, nor oppressed us, nor taken ought at any man’s hand.
They replied, “No, you have never cheated anyone or oppressed anyone or accepted a bribe from anyone.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 12:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 12:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
לֹ֥א
עֲשַׁקְתָּ֖/נוּ
וְ/לֹ֣א
רַצּוֹתָ֑/נוּ
וְ/לֹֽא
לָקַ֥חְתָּ
מִ/יַּד
אִ֖ישׁ
מְאֽוּמָה
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
עֲשַׁקְתָּ֖/נוּ
ʻâshaq
H6231
to oppress
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
רַצּוֹתָ֑/נוּ
râtsats
H7533
to crush
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
לָקַ֥חְתָּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
מִ/יַּד
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cs
אִ֖ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
מְאֽוּמָה
mᵉʼûwmâh
H3972
anything
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 12:4
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
עֲשַׁקְתָּ֖/נוּ
ʻâshaq
H6231
"to oppress"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
To oppress means to press upon or defraud someone, often violently. It is used to describe wrongdoing in the Bible, such as in the book of Exodus.
Definition: 1) to press upon, oppress, violate, defraud, do violence, get deceitfully, wrong, extort 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to oppress, wrong, extort 1a2) to oppress 1b) (Pual) to be exploited, be crushed
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: get deceitfully, deceive, defraud, drink up, (use) oppress(-ion), -or), do violence (wrong). See also: Leviticus 5:21; Proverbs 14:31; Psalms 72:4.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
רַצּוֹתָ֑/נוּ
râtsats
H7533
"to crush"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
To crush means to break or oppress something or someone, used to describe physical or emotional distress in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to crush, oppress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to crush, get crushed, be crushed 1a2) to crush, oppress (fig) 1a3) crushed (participle passive) 1b) (Niphal) to be crushed, be broken 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to crush in pieces 1c2) to grievously oppress (fig) 1d) (Poel) to oppress (fig) 1e) (Hiphil) to crush 1f) (Hithpoel) to crush each other
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: break, bruise, crush, discourage, oppress, struggle together. See also: Genesis 25:22; Psalms 74:14; Isaiah 36:6.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
לָקַ֥חְתָּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
מִ/יַּד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
אִ֖ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מְאֽוּמָה
mᵉʼûwmâh
H3972
"anything"
N-fs
This word refers to something, no matter how small, or nothing at all. It's used in phrases like 'anything' or 'nothing'. The Bible uses it in various books to convey the idea of something or nothing.
Definition: anything
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: fault, [phrase] no(-ught), ought, somewhat, any (no-)thing. See also: Genesis 22:12; 1 Samuel 25:15; Jeremiah 39:10.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 12:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Samuel’s Farewell Address
2Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day.
3Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
4“You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.”
5Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied. 6Then Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is the One who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 6:4 | Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. |
| 2 | Psalms 37:5–6 | Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. |
| 3 | 3 John 1:12 | Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. |
1 Samuel 12:4 Summary
[In 1 Samuel 12:4, the people are saying that Samuel has been a fair and honest leader, and they have no complaints against him. This shows that Samuel has earned their trust and respect, just like we are called to trust and respect our leaders, as seen in Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:7. The people's response is a testament to Samuel's integrity, and it sets an example for us to follow in our own lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9 and 28:18.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of the people's response in 1 Samuel 12:4?
The people's response in 1 Samuel 12:4 is a declaration of Samuel's integrity, as he had just asked them to testify against him if he had wronged them in any way, as seen in 1 Samuel 12:3.
How does this verse relate to the concept of leadership in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of leaders being accountable to their people and to God, as seen in 1 Samuel 12:3-5, and is reminiscent of the leadership principles outlined in Exodus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
What can we learn from the people's response to Samuel's inquiry?
The people's response in 1 Samuel 12:4 demonstrates their trust and respect for Samuel, and serves as an example of how leaders can earn the trust of their followers by being transparent and accountable, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9 and 28:18.
How does this verse foreshadow the transition of leadership from Samuel to the king?
The people's response in 1 Samuel 12:4 sets the stage for the transition of leadership from Samuel to the king, as Samuel is about to pass on the mantle of leadership, as seen in 1 Samuel 12:2 and 1 Samuel 8:1-22.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate integrity and accountability in my own life, as seen in Samuel's example?
- How can I apply the principles of trust and respect, as seen in the people's response to Samuel, to my relationships with others?
- What can I learn from Samuel's willingness to ask for feedback and criticism from the people, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- In what ways can I, like the people in this verse, acknowledge and appreciate the leaders in my life who have demonstrated integrity and faithfulness?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 12:4
And they said,.... One in the name of the rest, or they all cried out as one man: thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us; had done them no wrong, neither privately nor publicly, by fraud or by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 12:4
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?
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:4
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.Ver. 4. Thou hast not defrauded us.] Happy is Samuel thus to be acquitted by himself in private, by others in public, in both by God. Quoad vixit, virtutum laude crevit, saith Cornelius Nepos concerning Cato. In maximis laboribus usque ad summam senectutem summa cum gloria vivit, saith Cicero of the same Cato. Invictus praeterea cupiditatibus animi et rigidae innocentiae, saith Pliny of him. How much better may all this be said of Samuel, and a great deal more?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 12:4
Verse 4. They said, Thou hast not defrauded] Of what minister or governor can any nation under heaven say such things?
Sermons on 1 Samuel 12:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Daniel) ch.6:1-28 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the character of Daniel and his faithfulness in his work. Daniel was a Christian who stood out among his colleagues by being punctual, dilige |
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Daniels More Excellent Spirit (Zulu/english) by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Daniel and how he remained faithful to God despite facing opposition and pressure from others. The preacher emphasizes the impor |
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Faithfulness by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the critical importance of faithfulness in ministry, asserting that it is a non-negotiable requirement for those appointed as stewards of God's Word. He highli |
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Delight in the Will of God by John A. Broadus | John A. Broadus preaches on the importance of delighting in doing God's will, emphasizing the grateful response and obedience that should follow experiencing God's gracious relief |
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Receiving the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker, Pastor Dave, shares a story about a farmer who toiled his whole life on a rocky piece of land, only to die in poverty and discouragement. However, afte |
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A Time to Do Nothng but Trust by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Jonathan and the Israelites facing a massive army of Philistines. The Israelites were greatly outnumbered and lacked weapons, lea |
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"His Plan for Me" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on the poem 'His Plan for Me' and delves into the concept of surrendering to God's will. It explores the idea of standing before Christ at the judgment seat an |