Definition: Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 12:3. It's a really important and dramatic passage about David’s actions and his conscience. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core of the Verse: David was caught in a terrible lie. He had been secretly flattering Jonathan, a friend of Saul (the king), to get him to trust him. David then took advantage of Jonathan's trust – he essentially tricked him into thinking David was abandoning Saul. He then went on to mistreat and exploit Jonathan, even taking advantage of his vulnerability. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Behold, here I am…” : This is a formal introduction - David is acknowledging the situation. “…witness against me before the LORD…” : This means David is admitting to being publicly accused and judged by God himself. It's a serious admission of wrongdoing. “…and before his anointed: Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded?” : This is where it gets really uncomfortable. David is asking questions about who he’s been exploiting and mistreating. He's essentially admitting to taking advantage of others – specifically, Jonathan – who are under his control. It’s a clear statement that he’s been acting wrongly. “or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?” : This is the most shocking part. David admits he has been tricked and manipulated by someone - a bribe, perhaps – to deceive others. He's admitting to being influenced by another person’s actions. The Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse is a crucial turning point in David’s story. It demonstrates: Moral Repentance: David acknowledges his wrongdoings and takes responsibility for them. This is a key step toward repentance and seeking forgiveness. Humility: He recognizes that he's not perfect and needs to be accountable. A Shift in Focus: The verse signals a shift from being a manipulative figure to someone who desires to restore what has been taken. In short, David is admitting to a major breach of trust and a pattern of wrongdoing, acknowledging his own culpability. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage. It’s often interpreted as a moment where David experiences a profound crisis of conscience. It's a story about how even the most powerful people can fall into wrongdoing. Do you want to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse, such as: The context of the situation in 1 Samuel? What it means for David’s character? How this verse relates to his later actions?