1. Samuel said to all Israel: "Listen: I have done everything you asked of me and have placed a king over you.
2. The king will lead you now. I am old and gray, though my sons are still with you, and I’ve been your leader since I was young until now.
3. So I’m here: Tell the truth about me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Have I ever stolen someone’s ox? Have I ever taken someone’s donkey? Have I ever oppressed or mistreated anyone? Have I ever taken bribes from someone and looked the other way about something? Tell me the truth. I will make it right."
4. "You haven’t oppressed or mistreated us, and you’ve never taken anything from anyone," the people answered.
5. Samuel replied, "The Lord and his anointed one are witnesses against you today that you haven’t found anything in my possession.""Agreed," they said.
6. Then Samuel told the people: “The witness is indeed the Lord, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt.