Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version follow the Septuagint in adding the words to me, which are lacking in the Masoretic Text. It is not clear whether other translations (Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) that include these words have followed the Septuagint also, or whether they have simply provided these words to complete the sense. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text, but translators should include or exclude the words to me on the basis of their language requirements rather than on the basis of textual evidence.

Forsaking … and serving: literally “and they forsook me and they served other gods.” This clause in Hebrew functions to explain what has preceded. That is, this clause explains what is meant by the words all the deeds which they have done [to me].

The structure of this long, complicated sentence in Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew, but it may be too complex to be translated literally into other languages. There are two main parts to this sentence: (1) a comparison of Israel’s treatment of Samuel and of Yahweh in the first and last elements in the verse, and (2) a historical reference to Israel’s past in the middle of the verse. These may be translated by two separate sentences. A possible model for this is the following:

• These people are treating you the same way they have habitually treated me. They have abandoned me and worshiped other gods beginning from the time I rescued them from the land of Egypt up to the present day.

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 .