Samuel’s question is rhetorical. Revised English Bible, like Good News Translation, turns the rhetorical question into a statement. It may be important to do the same in many other languages.
Though you are little in your own eyes: probably an allusion to Saul’s words in 9.21. Little here refers not to physical size but rather to lack of importance. Revised English Bible says “Once you thought little of yourself.” La Bible du Semeur translates “you considered yourself a person of little importance.”
The word head may be better translated “leader” in this context (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). It is synonymous with the word king used later in this verse.
The tribes of Israel: regarding the translation of tribes, see the comments on 2.28.
Anointed: see the comments on 2.10.
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 .