Samuel contrasts himself with his sons. Unlike them, he has been a good and fair judge.1 The wickedness of Samuel’s sons was a factor in the initial request for a king (1 Samuel 8:3–5). As a result Samuel begins his speech with an examination of his own conduct as judge (1 Samuel 12:1–5).2 He does this to underscore the fact that there was no legitimate reason for Israel to seek his replacement as judge and leader.
2 Et maintenant, voici le roi qui marchera devant vous. Pour moi, je suis vieux, j'ai blanchi, et mes fils sont avec vous; j'ai marché à votre tête, depuis ma jeunesse jusqu'à ce jour.