1. Samuel said to all Israel, ‘I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you.
2. Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and grey, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day.
3. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.’
4. ‘You have not cheated or oppressed us,’ they replied. ‘You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.’