Said to Samuel: since there is probably no danger of misunderstanding, it may be more natural in some languages to replace the name, Samuel, with the pronoun “him,” as Good News Translation has done.

Behold: the focusing particle is used here to direct special attention to the pronouncement that is about to be made. See the comments at 2.31 and in the introductory section on this particle, page 18.

In Israel: that is, “among the people of Israel.” The focus is not on geographical territory but on the people.

The two ears of every one that hears it will tingle: the same kind of expression is found in 2 Kgs 21.12 and Jer 19.3 to describe the effect of terrible news. Revised Standard Version translates literally, but in many languages it may be necessary to change the form in order to express the meaning clearly. Bible en français courant says that “it will have the effect of a clap of thunder on those who hear it.” In many languages it will be considered quite unnecessary to speak of the two ears, since everyone knows that people have two ears and that they are what people use to hear with. The image may be expressed in a variety of ways in different languages. Some may say “all people who hear it will stagger” or “will make people who learn about it tremble” or “will cause the ears of everyone who hears it to ring” (New American Bible).

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 .