Regarding the meaning of anointed, see the comments on 1 Sam 2.10.

Now therefore: this introduces the conclusion of the discussion that was going on among the Israelites. The following question is a direct result of the facts laid out in verses 9 and 10a.

Why do you say nothing…? The most important matter involved in understanding this question is to determine to whom the second person plural pronoun you refers. Since this is part of an ongoing argument between various people or factions in Israel, the blame was probably thrown back and forth. The question was “Why hasn’t something been done?” (Contemporary English Version), or “Why have we no plans for bringing the king back?” (Revised English Bible), or “Why does no one suggest that the king be brought back?” (New Jerusalem Bible). New Century Version makes a positive statement in place of the question, translating “We should make David king again.”

The king, of course, refers to David, and it will be wise to make this explicit in the receptor language if there is any danger of confusion on the part of the reader.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .