1. Samuel spoke to all of the people of Israel. He said, "I've done everything you asked me to do. I've placed a king over you.
2. Now you have a king as your leader. But I'm old. My hair is gray. My sons are here with you. I've been your leader from the time I was young until this very day.
3. "Here I stand. Bring charges against me if you can. The Lord is a witness. And so is his anointed king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I cheated anyone? Have I beaten anyone down? Have I accepted money from anyone who wanted special favors? If I've done any of those things, I'll make it right."
4. "You haven't cheated us," they replied. "You haven't beaten us down. You haven't taken anything from anyone."
5. Samuel said to them, "The Lord is a witness against you this very day. And so is his anointed king. They are witnesses that I haven't taken anything from any of you." "The Lord is a witness," they said.