Samuel’s words are similar to those that Moses spoke to the Israelite people in Deut 13.4. The language in this verse echoes themes common in Deuteronomy: hearken to his voice (for example, Deut 1.45; 3.26); rebel against the commandment of the LORD (for example, Deut 1.26, 43; 9.23).
Fear the LORD: the Hebrew verb covers a range of meanings, including “to be afraid,” “to tremble,” “to stand in awe,” and “to have reverence for.” The context here suggests that the sense is not so much “be afraid of” as “revere” (Revised English Bible) or “honor” (Good News Translation).
On the translation of hearken to his voice, see the comments at verse 1.
The negative expression not rebel against may be rendered “not flout” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “instead of defying” (Knox). Or the same idea may be stated positively as “accept” or “obey” (Good News Translation).
The commandment of the LORD is singular in form but collective in meaning. So it will be wise to translate it as a plural, as several modern versions have done (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). This Hebrew word rendered commandment here is the same word translated “mouth” in some contexts, but used here as a figure for commands that come from his mouth.
The Hebrew text does not have the words it will be well, which Revised Standard Version has supplied to complete the sense. Words supplied in other translations include “well and good” (Revised English Bible and New American Bible) and “all will be well” (New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages this information will fit better at the beginning of the verse (Good News Translation) rather than at the end. Something like this is required in most languages, since the Hebrew text contains an “if” clause with five conditions, but without a “then” clause.
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 .