John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And they said , etc.] 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 force: neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand ; as a gift, present, or bribe, to fit your his cause. Some would infer hence that be took nothing of them for his support and maintenance, and that he lived upon his own substance; but that is not likely or reasonable; it was but just that they should support him and his family suitably to his character as a judge, whose whole life was spent in their service.
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 ויאמרו559 לא3808 עשׁקתנו6231 ולא3808 רצותנו7533 ולא3808 לקחת3947 מיד3027 אישׁ376 מאומה׃3972
