John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Behold, here I am , etc.] No longer the supreme governor, but a subject, and accountable for any misdemeanour charged upon me, and to which I am ready to give answer, being now at your bar to be tried and judged before you: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed ; signifying, that if they had anything to lay to his charge, that they would produce it, and give proof and evidence of it in the presence of God, in whose name they met, and of Saul, anointed king, and supreme judge and ruler of the nation: whose ox have I taken ? by force to employ in his own service in ploughing his ground, or treading out his corn: or whose ass have I taken ? to ride about on in his circuit, or to carry any burden for him: or whom have I defrauded ? of their money or goods, by any artifice circumventing and cheating them: whom have I oppressed ? struck, beaten, broken, or caused to be so used wrongfully; to whose person have I been injurious any more than to their property? Some derive the word from a root which signifies favour and goodwill, and interpret it as some of the Rabbins do, of his not taking money of persons with their goodwill; or rather, that he had done nothing as a judge for favour and affection, but had acted the upright part, without regard to rich or poor, friends or foes: or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith ? his meaning is, that he had never taken a gift or present from any person to favour his cause, that was to be brought before him, and give it for him right or wrong; to connive at any injury he had done, or to turn away his eyes from seeing where the justice of the cause lay; or that he had not received money to spare the life of a criminal that deserved to die; for the word used for a bribe signifies a ransom price, (see Deuteronomy 16:19) and I will restore it to you ; the ox or ass, money or goods, gifts and presents, or bribes taken, or make compensation for any injury done to the persons or estates of men. Some render it, “I will answer you” f227 , or give in an answer to any such charges when exhibited.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example befor Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name especially men in public stations, which is, to guard it against unjus blame and suspicions, that they may finish their course with honour, a well as with joy. And that we have in our places lived honestly, wil be our comfort, under any slights and contempt that may be put upon us.
Original Hebrew הנני2005 ענו6030 בי נגד5048 יהוה3068 ונגד5048 משׁיחו4899 את853 שׁור7794 מי4310 לקחתי3947 וחמור2543 מי4310 לקחתי3947 ואת853 מי4310 עשׁקתי6231 את853 מי4310 רצותי7533 ומיד3027 מי4310 לקחתי3947 כפר3724 ואעלים5956 עיני5869 בו ואשׁיב׃7725
