This verse records the fulfillment of Samuel’s words in the previous verse, using much of the same vocabulary. But the idea of the people’s awareness of their wrongdoing is worded differently.

Feared: see the comments on verse 14. This Hebrew verb is often rendered “to fear” in English, even though in certain contexts it expresses more the idea of “to consider with awe or reverence.” Most versions of this verse agree with the understanding found in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Notice, however, that New Jerusalem Bible says “and all the people held Yahweh and Samuel in great awe.” The following verse, however, seems to support the translation “feared.”

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 .