Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 12:3

3 Behold, here I am, witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: Whose ox have I taken? or whose asse have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed ? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith ? and I will restore it you.

I here present my self before the Lord, and before your King, being ready to give an account of all my Administrations, and to make satisfaction for any Injuries that I have done. And this Protestation Samuel makes of his Integrity, not out of Ostentation or Vain glory; but partly, for his own just Vindication, that the People might not hereafter for the Defence of their own Irregularities, reproach his Government; partly, that being publickly acquitted from all faults in his Government, he might more freely and boldly reprove the sins of the People, and particularly, that sin of theirs in desiring a King, when they had so little reason for it, and they had so just a Governor, from whom they might bave promised themselves an effectual Redress of his Sons mal-administrations, if they had acquainted him therewith; and partly, that by his Example he might tacitly Admonish Saul of his Duty, and prevent his misunderstanding of what he had formerly said, chap. 8. v. 11, &c. and mistake that for the Rule of his just Power, which was onely a Prediction of his Evil Practices.

Whom have I wronged, either by Fraud and false Accusation, or by Might and Violence?

Heb. Prince of Redemption, given to Redeem an unjust and lost Cause or Person, from that Righteous Sentence which they deserved.

That I should not discern what was right and just, or dissemble it as if I did not see it. Or, that I should hide or cover mine eyes (i. e. wilfully wink at the plain truth) for it, i. e. for the Bribe; or, for him, i. e. for his sake.

k Or, and I will cover mine eyes for him, i. e. I will take shame to my self, and cover my face as one ashamed to look upon him.

Marginal references: Numb. 16. 15. Act. 20. 33.; Heb. ransom.; Or, that I should hide mine eyes at him.