1Sa 12:3-5 | TNotes | STEP | 12:3 God’s anointed one was Saul (see 9:16 ). • Whose ox or donkey: Cp. Num 16:15 . • have I stolen? In contrast to the behavior of kings (1 Sam 8:11-16 ). • Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? No, but Samuel’s sons did (8:3 ).

a12:3►

b9:16►

cNum 16:15►

d1 Sam 8:11-16►

e8:3►

f12:5►

g1 Cor 9:1-14►

h2 Cor 7:2►

i11:7-9►

j1 Thes 2:1-12►

‏ 1 Samuel 12:3-5

12:3 ^a God’s anointed one was Saul (see 9:16 ^b).

• Whose ox or donkey: Cp. Num 16:15 ^c.

• have I stolen? In contrast to the behavior of kings (1 Sam 8:11-16 ^d).

• Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? No, but Samuel’s sons did (8:3 ^e).
12:5 ^f my hands are clean: Samuel’s life and leadership before Israel had been above reproach (cp. 1 Cor 9:1-14 ^g; 2 Cor 7:2 ^h; 11:7-9 ⁱ; 1 Thes 2:1-12 ^j). Saul, David, and Solomon—kings rather than prophetic judges—would not be able to make this claim.