The verb told is a good literal translation of the Hebrew, but in certain languages the context may require something like “explained” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), “described” (An American Translation), or “expounded” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
The rights and duties of the kingship: see 8.11-18 for a list of demands the king will make on the people. Rights and duties translate a single Hebrew noun that has several different meanings depending on the context. It is sometimes translated “command,” “[legal] case,” and “judgment.” Here it refers to the obligations and rights of the king, the regulations by which the king will rule. Other renderings here include “the Law of the Kingdom” (Anchor Bible), “the nature of a king” (Revised English Bible), “the law of royalty” (New American Bible), “the regulations of the kingship” (New International Version), and “the king’s constitutional position” (New Jerusalem Bible). The abstract noun kingship will have to be translated more concretely in languages where it is much more natural to speak of “the king.”
A book: Revised English Bible and New International Version say “a scroll,” which is the most likely form used. Writings in the form of books as we know them today did not yet exist in the time of Samuel. Fox says that he wrote it “in a document,” without specifying what form the document took.
Laid it up before the LORD: a translation such as “a holy place” (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente) is too general. Samuel placed the scroll in the sanctuary near the ark of the covenant. The Contemporary English Version translation “in a temple building” may incorrectly suggest to the reader that the reference is to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was not yet built. Samuel placed the scroll in the sanctuary near the ark of the covenant. Compare Deut 31.26; Josh 24.26; and 2 Kgs 22.8. Regarding the meaning of before the LORD in this sense, see also 15.33.
Apparently the people of Israel were not allowed to go home until after the list of royal rights and responsibilities were written down and deposited in the sacred place.
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 .