Samuel’s words to Saul fulfill the prophecy spoken in 15.28.

To you is the reading found in the Septuagint, and this is followed by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other versions. The Masoretic Text says “The LORD has done for him as he spoke by me.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends the Masoretic Text, giving it a {C} rating. Among those who follow the Masoretic Text (which include Hertzberg and apparently New International Version), some understand “for him” to mean that God has acted for himself. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “The LORD has done for Himself as He foretold through me.” But in light of 15.28, the reference is almost certainly to David. The recommended translation of the first part of this verse is “The LORD has done for David as he spoke by me.”

The words as he spoke by me (literally “as he spoke by my hand”) do not indicate clearly to whom the LORD spoke through the prophet. But it is quite clear in 15.28 that he spoke to Saul. It is therefore legitimate to translate “as he spoke to you through me.”

The verb torn and the noun neighbor reflect the wording of an earlier passage. Translators should therefore compare their rendering of these words in 15.28.

Out of your hand: that is, out of your control, or “away from you” (see the comments on 4.8).

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 .