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1 Samuel 12:5

And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

1 Samuel 12:5 · King James Version

Meaning

In this verse, Samuel is speaking to the people of Israel, reaffirming his innocence and integrity as a leader. By declaring that both the LORD and his anointed (referring to himself as the chosen leader by God) are witnesses to the fact that no wrongdoing has been found in him, Samuel is emphasizing the importance of honesty and accountability in leadership. The people's response, acknowledging that the LORD is indeed witness, further underscores the significance of God's role as an observer and judge of human actions. This verse serves as a reminder that transparency and righteousness are crucial qualities for leaders to possess, as they are ultimately accountable to God for their actions. It also highlights the concept of divine justice and the belief that God sees all and will ensure that the truth prevails.

Theological Overview

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse, "And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness," we see a profound declaration of innocence by the speaker. The phrase "The LORD is witness" emphasizes the divine awareness and judgment of God. By invoking the name of the LORD as a witness, the speaker is affirming their integrity and honesty before God. The mention of "his anointed" also carries weight, as it refers to God's chosen leader or representative. In this context, the speaker is confident in their righteousness and is willing to stand before God and his anointed as witnesses to their innocence. This verse showcases the importance of truthfulness and accountability in the eyes of God, reminding believers of the need to live with integrity and honesty in all aspects of their lives.

1 Samuel 12:5 in other translations

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Jehovah is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand. And they said, He is witness.

World English Bible

He said to them, “Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” They said, “He is witness.”

Douay-Rheims

And he said to them: The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found any thing in my hand. And they said: He is witness.

Geneva Bible (1599)

And he saide vnto them, The Lord is witnesse against you, and his Anointed is witnesse this day, that yee haue founde nought in mine handes. And they answered, He is witnesse.