Hearken to their voice: or “do what they ask” (New Jerusalem Bible). See the comments on this idiom in verse 7, and compare also verse 22 below.

The warnings that follow recall the words of Deut 17.16-17. The Hebrew text says the king, but the singular is used collectively, and the reference seems to be to any and all kings who will rule over them. For this reason Good News Translation says “their kings.”

The word only is the same as in 1.23. The Hebrew adverb strongly emphasizes the importance of what follows, and at the same time marks a sharp contrast. Yet in some cases the best translation may be a simple “however” or “but” (New American Bible and Revised English Bible as well as Good News Translation).

You shall solemnly warn them: literally “to warn you shall warn them.” The emphatic nature of the Hebrew is expressed in various ways in English: Revised Standard Version says solemnly warn, Good News Translation has “give them strict warning,” and Fox says “indeed, you are to warn, yes warn them.”

Show them the ways of the king: Samuel is instructed to inform or explain to the people of Israel what it will be like when they actually get what they are asking for. This is not totally separate from the solemn warning mentioned in the preceding verb. Rather the explanation itself should serve as a warning. So the conjunction and between the two elements may not be appropriate. In some cases the following translation may be best: “warn them by telling them what the king will be like when he rules over them.”

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 .