Why does Samuel call attention to his past conduct?
1 Samuel 12:3 (ESV)
3Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.”
Samuel seeks to make it clear that there was no defect in his character or leadership that would necessitate asking for another leader, a king.1 His exemplary conduct is comparable with that of Moses (Numbers 16:15) and the apostle Paul (Acts 20:33).2
3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.”