Verses 15-16 are a digression that explains why Samuel was prepared for Saul’s coming, so the verb forms used in the receptor language in these two verses are especially important. The introductory transition word may also be crucial in some languages. Verse 17 picks up again from the end of verse 14.

Had revealed to Samuel: literally “had uncovered [or, revealed] [to] the ears of Samuel.” The same idiom occurs in 20.2, 12, 13; 22.8, 17; 2 Sam 7.27. Moffatt attempts to capture the distinctive character of this idiom by translating “whispered to Samuel,” while Revised English Bible has “had disclosed his intention to Samuel.”

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 .