Since Samuel was introduced as the person speaking in verses 28-29, Good News Translation uses the name “Saul” instead of the pronoun he in order to avoid ambiguity.

Yet honor me now: the transition word, yet, marks the contrast between Saul’s sin and the honor he sought from Samuel. He pleads with Samuel to “treat me with respect” (Bible en français courant). In some languages this may have to be stated negatively: “but do not cause me to see shame.” The Hebrew has a particle of entreaty which is not translated in Revised Standard Version. Compare “Please, honor me…” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “please still show me respect” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “pray honor me” (Fox).

The elders: see the comment on 4.3. New Century Version provides a useful model by saying “my people’s older leaders,” although this may perhaps imply to some readers that there were also younger leaders. This is certainly not what is intended. It may therefore be better to say “the elders who lead my people.”

Your God: see the comments on verse 15.

Worship: see verse 25.

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 .