1. Samuel said to all Israel, “I have done everything you wanted me to do. I have put a king over you.
2. Now you have a king to lead you. I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader since I was young.
3. Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, you must testify against me. Do this before the Lord and his appointed king. Did I steal anyone’s ox or donkey? Did I hurt or cheat anyone? Did I ever secretly take money to pretend not to see something wrong? If I did any of these things, I will make it right.”
4. The Israelites answered, “You have not cheated us. You have not hurt us. You have not taken anything unfairly from anyone.”
5. Samuel said to them, “The Lord is a witness to what you have said. His appointed king is also a witness today. They are both witnesses that you did not find anything wrong in me.”“He is our witness,” they said.