3 Here I am. Testify against me in front of the Lord and in front of his anointed king. Did I take anyone’s ox? Did I take anyone’s donkey? Did I cheat or oppress anyone? Did I take a bribe from anyone to look the other way? ⌊If so,⌋ I will give it all back.”
4 They answered, “You didn’t cheat us, oppress us, or take anything from anyone.”
5 Samuel told them, “The Lord is a witness to what you’ve said, and his anointed king is a witness today that you’ve found nothing in my hands.”“He is a witness,” they answered.
6 Samuel told the people, “The Lord appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors out of Egypt.
7 Now, stand up while I put you on trial in front of the Lord and cite all the righteous things the Lord did for you and your ancestors.
8 When your ancestors went with Jacob to Egypt ⌊and were oppressed⌋, they cried out to the Lord, who sent Moses and Aaron to bring them out of Egypt. The Lord settled them in this place.
9 But they forgot the Lord their God. So he handed them over to Sisera, who was the commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab. All of them fought against your ancestors.