Behold: the Hebrew word draws attention to the words that follow. If translators have a similar focusing particle in their own languages, it should probably be used here.

Do not walk in your ways: or, “do not follow your example” (New American Bible). This uses the same figure as in verse 3.

Now translates a temporal adverb. In addition to the temporal force, this adverb may also express a logical relationship. The words “So then” (Good News Translation) highlight this logical use, which connects the two parts of this verse. Klein renders this word “Therefore” (also New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). If translators have a word or words in their language that express both temporal and logical relationship, such a term may be used here. Since the Hebrew adverb here does not have a waw prefixed to it, the relationship is perhaps more one of time (Revised Standard Version) than one of logic (Good News Translation).

Appoint: this translates the same verb as in the first verse of this chapter, where Samuel is said to have made his sons judges. The elders are asking, in effect, that Samuel replace his sons with someone else. The new element, however, in their request is that the person named be a king, that is, a single individual recognized as the supreme authority over all the people of Israel, as in 2.10. This contrasts with the idea of Yahweh as the supreme authority, who had certain people acting as judges in his behalf. In some languages it will be difficult to find different words for judge and king, but some kind of distinction is crucial. While it is not totally satisfactory, the only way found in some cases is to use the word for “chief” for judge and “big chief” for king.

To govern us: literally “to judge us.” See the comments on this verb in 4.18 and 7.6.

All the nations: the reference is to all the pagan peoples or nations in distinction from the Israelite people. In some languages it may be necessary to add the word “other” (Good News Translation and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), since the Israelite people are not included in the nations.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .