The transition word For at the beginning of this verse introduces the reason why the people of Israel are encouraged not to abandon the LORD. It is because the LORD will not reject his people that they should not reject him. Certain modern versions reverse the order of the elements in this verse, placing the reason at the end: “For his great name’s sake the LORD will not cast you off, because he has resolved to make you his own people” (Revised English Bible). La Bible du Semeur, which has likewise restructured the order of the clauses, may provide a good model for some languages: “It has pleased the LORD to make you his people. That is why he will never abandon you, for he is bent on making his great name honored.”

For his great name’s sake: in Hebrew thought, one’s name was an expression of one’s being or one’s nature. The translation “For his own sake” (New Century Version) correctly expresses the meaning in English. The sense is that God will not abandon his people, because his reputation would suffer if he were to do so. It is not clear why Good News Translation translates this phrase as “has made a solemn promise.” Such a translation fails to express the correct meaning of the Hebrew.

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 .