And Eli said: literally “And he said.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation make explicit that Eli is the subject of the verb.

That he told you: Good News Translation also makes explicit the fact that the pronoun he refers to Yahweh, or the LORD. It will be important to do the same in many other languages in order to avoid misunderstanding.

In the Hebrew text, the words Do not hide it from me are prefaced by a particle that is often translated “I pray.” This particle in this context softens the harshness of the request by Eli. Fox translates this as “Pray don’t conceal (it) from me.” New Jerusalem Bible says “Please do not conceal it from me.”

May God do so to you and more also: these words are a fixed formula that solemnly calls for God’s punishment upon the person who refuses to do what is asked (the same formula is found in Ruth 1.17; 1 Sam 14.44; 20.13; 25.22; 2 Sam 3.9, 35; 19.13). The specific punishment is not stated. But it is an extremely strong declaration that may even include the idea of death. Interpreters of the Old Testament texts where this type of expression is used speculate that it was probably accompanied by some kind of gesture—possibly one imitating the motions of cutting the throat—or some other indication that death would be involved. In many languages a literal translation of these words may have little meaning. Revised English Bible says “God’s curse upon you if you conceal from me….” Good News Translation translates this sentence as a simple statement, but the form of a curse should be maintained if possible.

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 .