Your kingdom shall not continue: meaning not only that Saul would not continue as king, but also that his descendants will not rule after his death. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “But now your dynasty will not endure.” As in the previous verse, certain words are left implicit in Hebrew, but they may be made explicit in translation. The full sense is “But since you did not obey, now your kingdom shall not continue.”

The man after his own heart is David (see chapter 16; also Acts 13.22). In Hebrew thought the heart is the place where one’s will, desire, and choice are exercised. This may be expressed as “a person whose desire is to serve the LORD” or “the kind of man he wants” (New Century Version).

Prince: that is, to be the ruler. See the comments on 9.16.

The past tense verbs in Revised Standard Version (has sought out and has appointed) suggest in English that God has already found David and already appointed him as king. More likely these verbs are “prophetic perfects,” that is, the past tense is used instead of the future. It is so certain that God will do this that it is spoken of as something already done. Compare also the future tense in Revised English Bible: “the LORD will seek out a man after his own heart, and appoint him prince over his people.”

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 .