Hearken to the voice of the people: or, in more modern language, “Listen to the voice of the people” (New Revised Standard Version). But the meaning is not simply that Samuel was to listen to what they were saying. Rather he was being instructed to accept and act on what they desired. New American Bible is correct in translating “grant the people’s every request.” The same basic advice is repeated in verses 9 and 22 of this chapter. In 12.1 Samuel reminds the people that he had indeed paid attention to what they requested.

In all that they say to you: or “whatever the people say to you” (New Century Version). The idea is that Samuel should do everything that they asked.

For: the Hebrew transition word so translated is often used to show a relationship of cause and effect. Apparently the reason why Samuel should feel free to accept the elders’ proposal is that it does not constitute a personal rejection of his leadership. It is rather God’s leadership that is being rejected. This Hebrew word ky may also be understood as a demonstrative particle of emphasis. Fox, for example, has “indeed, it is not you whom they have rejected, indeed it is I whom they have rejected.”

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 .