1 Samuel

1 Samuel front

Introduction to 1 Samuel

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of 1 Samuel

1. Samuel as judge over Israel (1:1–7:17)
   • Samuel as a child (1:1–3:21)
   • Shiloh priesthood; the fall and death of Eli the priest (4:1–22)
   • The ark of God and the war with the Philistines (5:1–6:21)
   • Mizpah; Samuel’s rule over Israel (7:1–17)
2. Saul and Samuel (8:1–15:35)
   • Samuel lets the people seek a king (8:1–22)
   • Saul anointed king (9:1–10:27)
   • Battle and victory over the Ammonites (11:1–15)
   • Samuel’s farewell (12:1–25)
   • Saul’s weakness and failures (13:1–15:35)
3. David and his conflicts with Saul (16:1–31:13)
   • God’s choice of David to be king (16:1–23)
   • David fights Goliath (17:1–58)
   • Saul’s jealousy of David; David and Jonathan (18:1–20:42)
   • David in the wilderness; David in Philistia (21:1–30:31)
   • Death of Saul (31:1–13)

What is the Book of 1 Samuel about?

The Book of 1 Samuel is about Samuel, Saul, and David. Samuel was the last of the judges over Israel. Saul was the first king of Israel. Much of the book is about how Saul became king, then how he later sinned against God and died. God chose David to be king after Saul. This book shows how God protected David when Saul tried to kill him.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators can use the traditional title “1 Samuel” or “First Samuel.” Or, translators may consider a clearer title such as “The First Book About Samuel, Saul, and David.” (See: How to Translate Names)

What is the purpose of the Book of 1 Samuel?

The purpose of 1 Samuel is to give an account of the events leading up to David becoming king of Israel. In 1 Samuel, the twelve tribes of Israel unite under the first king of Israel, Saul. But Saul does not obey Yahweh’s commands. So God uses Samuel to choose David as a king who will trust and obey Yahweh.

Who wrote the Book of 1 Samuel?

It is uncertain who wrote 1 Samuel. It may have been someone alive soon after King Solomon died. When Solomon died, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms. The author probably lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. A descendant of David continued to rule over the southern kingdom. The author may have written 1 Samuel to defend David’s right to be king. This would prove that David’s descendant was the rightful king of God’s people.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Who is “Yahweh’s anointed”?

The writer of 1 Samuel often speaks of “Yahweh’s anointed.” This refers to the one whom Yahweh chose to be the king of his people. Also, the phrase “Yahweh’s anointed” would make later readers think about the future descendant of David who would become king of God’s people. This person who Yahweh chose would be known as the Messiah. (See: anoint, anointed, anointing and people of God and Christ, Messiah)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What are curses, as found in 1 Samuel and elsewhere?

A curse is a strong statement a person makes to cause bad things to happen to the person or thing being cursed. A curse usually has this pattern: “May God do so to you, and even more, if you hide anything from me of all the words that he spoke to you” (1 Sam. 3:17). Other instances of curses in 1 and 2 Samuel are found in 1 Sam 14:44; 20:13; 25:22; 2 Sam 3:9, 35; and 19:13. The translator should represent a curse in the project language in as strong a way as possible.

How is the name “Israel” used in the Bible?

The name “Israel” is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was the son of Isaac. God changed his name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: Israel, Israelites)

The Book of 1 Samuel has two references to Israel and Judah (1 Samuel 17:52, 1 Samuel 18:16). However, these references appear in the text long before the two kingdoms split apart. It seems clear that the references to Israel and Judah are in the text because the author wrote at a time after the kingdoms split. He wanted the readers to understand that all the twelve tribes had supported David.

What is the meaning of the phrase “to this day”?

This phrase was used by the narrator to refer to the time when he was writing. The translator should be aware that “to this day” refers to a time already passed. He must avoid giving the impression that the present day of the translation’s readers is meant. The translator might decide to say, “to this day, at the time when this is being written” or “to this day, at the time of writing.” This phrase occurs in 1 Samuel 5:5; 6:18: 27:6; 30:25.

1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter introduces Samuel. It is the beginning of the section 1, Samuel chapters 1-7, which tell about Samuel, the religious leader of Israel.

Special concepts in this chapter

Two wives

This was a common practice in the ancient Near East. It was against the law of Moses. The men of Israel would have sinned if they married more than one woman. This type of marriage always creates problems because of jealousy. (See: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and jealous, jealousy)

“Pay his vow”

It was customary for Israelites to promise God to make a sacrifice to him if God answered special prayers. Making such a sacrifice was called paying one’s vow. (See: vow)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idioms

When Hannah wanted to assure Eli she was telling the truth, she used the idiom “as you live.” This is a type of oath formula meaning “I promise you I am telling the truth.” (See: Idiom)

The author also uses the phrase “call to mind.” This is a common idiom meaning “remember.”

1 Samuel 1:1

הָ⁠רָמָתַ֛יִם

This is the name of a small village possibly located eight kilometers northwest of Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

צוֹפִ֖ים

The phrase the Zuphites refers to the people group that descended from Zuph. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶפְרָ֑יִם

Here, Ephraim refers to the land that was allotted to the people belonging to the Israelite tribe of Ephraim (see Joshua 16:1-9).(See: How to Translate Names)

אֶ֠לְקָנָה…יְרֹחָ֧ם…אֱלִיה֛וּא…תֹּ֥חוּ…צ֖וּף

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

אֶפְרָתִֽי

Here, Ephraimite refers to anyone living in the territory of Ephraim. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 1:2

וְ⁠ל⁠וֹ֙

The pronoun him refers to Elkanah. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

These are the names of two women. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 1:3

הָ⁠אִ֨ישׁ הַ⁠ה֤וּא

The word that in the phrase that man is a demonstrative pronoun which refers to Elkanah. Alternate translation: “the man Elkanah” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

וְ⁠עָלָה֩

Here, went up indicates that in order to reach Shiloh, Elkanah had to travel from a lower location to a higher location because Shiloh was located in a mountainous region. (See: Go and Come)

מִ⁠יָּמִ֣ים׀ יָמִ֔ימָ⁠ה

The expression days to days is a Hebrew idiom. Alternate translation: “year by year” or “annually” (See: Idiom)

עֵלִ֗י…חָפְנִי֙…וּ⁠פִ֣נְחָ֔ס

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 1:4

מָנֽוֹת

Here, portions refers to portions of meat. See UST. Alternate translation: “meat portions” or “portions of meat”

וְ⁠נָתַ֞ן

Beginning here and continuing until the middle of verse 7, the author provides background information and explains what took place repeatedly year after year. The author does this to help readers better understand the story. (See: Background Information)

1 Samuel 1:5

וּ⁠לְ⁠חַנָּ֕ה

Hannah is a woman’s name. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:2. (See: How to Translate Names)

מָנָ֥ה אַחַ֖ת אַפָּ֑יִם

The phrase, one portion of two faces could mean: (1) Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion. Alternate translation: “a double portion” (2) Elkanah gave Hannah especially desirable portions of meat. Alternate translation: “a special portion”

סָגַ֥ר רַחְמָֽ⁠הּ

The phrase shut her womb is used figuratively to mean that Yahweh had not allowed Hannah to become pregnant. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can use a phrase that would be most natural in your language. Alternative translation: “made her barren” or “prevented her from becoming pregnant” (See: Euphemism)

מָנָ֥ה

Here, portion refers to the portion of meat that God let the people eat from the animal which they sacrificed. (See: Translate Unknowns)

1 Samuel 1:6

וְ⁠כִֽעֲסַ֤תָּ⁠ה צָֽרָתָ⁠הּ֙ גַּם־כַּ֔עַס בַּ⁠עֲב֖וּר הַרְּעִמָ֑⁠הּ

This means that Peninnah would intentionally seek ways to humiliate and mock Hannah so that she would feel emotionally disturbed and be greatly troubled in spirit. You can translate this in a way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And Peninnah would intentionally provoke Hannah severely, for the purpose of hurting her feelings” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

וְ⁠כִֽעֲסַ֤תָּ⁠ה צָֽרָתָ⁠הּ֙ גַּם־כַּ֔עַס

The word provocation is an abstract noun. If it would be more natural in your language you may translate this word using a verb phrase or adjective. Alternate translation: “And Peninnah would intentionally provoke Hannah severely” (See: https://git.door43.org/Door43-Catalog/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-abstractnouns/01.md)

צָֽרָתָ⁠הּ֙

Here, her rival refers to Hannah’s rival Peninnah. It is probable that Elkanah took Peninnah as his second wife after Hannah was unable to bear children so that he could have offspring by Penninah. This would result in Hannah and Peninnah viewing each other as rivals. You can use a word or phrase that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “his second wife” or“her co-wife”

הַרְּעִמָ֑⁠הּ

The phrase cause her to thunder is a figurative way of saying that Peninnah’s actions caused Hannah to be greatly irritated or troubled. The point of this comparison is that Peninnah would cause Hannah to be greatly bothered and disrupted in a way that is similar to the sky being disrupted to the point of thundering. You can communicate this in a way which would be most natural in your language. (See: Simile)

בְּעַ֥ד רַחְמָֽ⁠הּ

The phrase shut up her womb is a used figuratively to mean that Yahweh had not allowed Hannah to become pregnant. You can use a phrase that would be most natural in your language. Alternative translation: “made her barren” or “prevented her from becoming pregnant” (See: Euphemism)

1 Samuel 1:7

עֲלֹתָ⁠הּ֙

Here, went up indicates that in order to reach Shiloh, Elkanah had to travel from a lower location to a higher location because Shiloh was located in a mountainous region. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:3. (See: Go and Come)

עֲלֹתָ⁠הּ֙

Here, she refers to Hannah. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

1 Samuel 1:8

לָ֣⁠מֶה תִבְכִּ֗י וְ⁠לָ֨⁠מֶה֙ לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְלִ֔י וְ⁠לָ֖⁠מֶה יֵרַ֣ע לְבָבֵ֑⁠ךְ הֲ⁠ל֤וֹא אָֽנֹכִי֙ ט֣וֹב לָ֔⁠ךְ מֵ⁠עֲשָׂרָ֖ה בָּנִֽים

These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements, If your readers would misunderstand this. Alternate translation: “you should not weep. You should eat, and your heart should be glad because I am better to you than ten sons!” or “you have little reason for sadness. I favor you and that should be enough.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

הֲ⁠ל֤וֹא אָֽנֹכִי֙ ט֣וֹב לָ֔⁠ךְ מֵ⁠עֲשָׂרָ֖ה בָּנִֽים

Elkanah is intentionally exaggerating to emphasize what he wants Hannah to understand. Alternate translation: “Am I not better to you than any son could be” (See: Hyperbole)

1 Samuel 1:9

וַ⁠תָּ֣קָם חַנָּ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֛י

Here, implicit information can be made explicit. This could mean: (1) Hannah’s tent was next to the tabernacle tent. (2) Hannah walked from her tent to the tabernacle to pray. Alternate translation: “Hannah rose up and went to the house of Yahweh to pray after” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וְ⁠עֵלִ֣י

Now is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here, the author tells about a new person in the story. This person is the priest Eli. (See: How to Translate Names)

הֵיכַ֥ל

Here, the temple was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is translated as temple here. You could use an equivalent word or phrase to describe temple in your language. (See: Translate Unknowns)

1 Samuel 1:10

וְ⁠הִ֖יא מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ וַ⁠תִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל עַל־יְהוָ֖ה וּ⁠בָכֹ֥ה תִבְכֶּֽה

Hannah prayed to Yahweh because she was greatly grieved because she was not able to have any children and because Peninnah regularly ridiculed her. If your readers would misunderstand this you could state this explicitly. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ

The phrase bitter of spirit is a simile. The point of this comparison is that Hannah’s emotional state was very unpleasant and undesirable, comparable to the unpleasant experience of eating something very bitter tasting. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “was greatly distressed” (See: Simile)

1 Samuel 1:11

וַ⁠תִּדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר

The phrase vowed a vow is a way of saying that Hannah made a promise. If your readers would misunderstand this you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “made a promise” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וַ⁠תֹּאמַ֗ר

Here, and said is introducing the authors quotation of Hannah’s prayer. Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “and this is what she prayed” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

יְהוָ֨ה צְבָא֜וֹת אִם־רָאֹ֥ה תִרְאֶ֣ה׀ בָּ⁠עֳנִ֣י אֲמָתֶ֗⁠ךָ וּ⁠זְכַרְתַּ֨⁠נִי֙ וְ⁠לֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח אֶת־אֲמָתֶ֔⁠ךָ וְ⁠נָתַתָּ֥ה לַ⁠אֲמָתְ⁠ךָ֖ זֶ֣רַע אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וּ⁠נְתַתִּ֤י⁠ו לַֽ⁠יהוָה֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔י⁠ו וּ⁠מוֹרָ֖ה לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עַל־רֹאשֽׁ⁠וֹ

This portion is the authors quotation of Hannah’s prayer to Yahweh. (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

בָּ⁠עֳנִ֣י אֲמָתֶ֗⁠ךָ

The abstract noun affliction can be translated as a verbal phrase. This could mean: (1) Hannah’s emotional suffering because she was unable to become pregnant. Alternate translation: “on how I am suffering because I cannot become pregnant” (2) Hannah’s emotional suffering because of Peninnah’s frequent insults and taunts. Alternate translation: “on how that woman is afflicting me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

וּ⁠זְכַרְתַּ֨⁠נִי֙ וְ⁠לֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could combine these two phrases. Alternate translation: “and indeed remember” (See: Doublet)

וּ⁠זְכַרְתַּ֨⁠נִי֙ וְ⁠לֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח

Hannah does not actually think that Yahweh is unaware of her situation or has forgotten about it. Rather, this is an emphatic and urgent way of asking Yahweh to act on her behalf by answering her prayer for a son. Alternate translation: “and give heed to, and act on behalf of” (See: Hyperbole)

וּ⁠נְתַתִּ֤י⁠ו

This portion of Hannah’s prayer begins her promise to Yahweh. She tells Yahweh that if he gives her, her request for a son, she will dedicate the child to Yahweh all the days of his life and not give him a haircut. She begins her promise with the phrase then I will give. If your language has a specific way that it would introduce a promise in this context, you may consider using it here if it would be natural in your language. Alternative translation: “then I promise I will give him”

1 Samuel 1:12

כִּ֣י הִרְבְּתָ֔ה לְ⁠הִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל

The phrase increased to pray is a Hebrew idiom. It means that Hannah was continuing in prayer, or making her prayers many. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying for a long time. Alternate translation: “when she continued praying” (See: Idiom)

לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י

The phrase before the face of is a Hebrew idiom. It is used to show that something takes place in front of or in the presence of someone or something else. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying in the presence of Yahweh. Use the term or phrase in your language that would most naturally communicate that something takes place in front of someone or in the presence of someone. Alternate translation: “in the presence of” (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠עֵלִ֖י

Eli was the chief priest, so he was in the tabernacle of God and in charge of it. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 1:13

וְ⁠חַנָּ֗ה הִ֚יא מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת עַל־לִבָּ֔⁠הּ רַ֚ק שְׂפָתֶ֣י⁠הָ נָּע֔וֹת וְ⁠קוֹלָ֖⁠הּ לֹ֣א יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ וַ⁠יַּחְשְׁבֶ֥⁠הָ עֵלִ֖י לְ⁠שִׁכֹּרָֽה

If it would be misunderstood in you language, you could arrange the order of events in a way that is most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Now Hannah was silently praying. And Eli assumed that she was drunk, because she was not making any sound, only her lips were moving” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת עַל־לִבָּ֔⁠הּ

Here, heart is used figuratively. Use the term or phrase that would be most natural in your language. If you do not have a figurative way to express this in your language you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. See UST. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 1:14

עַד־מָתַ֖י תִּשְׁתַּכָּרִ֑י⁠ן

Eli is stating this in the form of a question for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could translate his words as a statement or as an exclamation. See UST. (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 1:15

אֲדֹנִ֔⁠י

The phrase my master is a way of politely or respectfully addressing someone. If you have an equivalent term or phrase in your language, consider using that. Alternate translation: “my lord” or “sir” (See Politeness)

קְשַׁת־ר֨וּחַ֙

The phrase difficult of spirit is a Hebrew idiom. Alternative translation: “troubled of spirit” or “very unhappy” (See: Idiom)

וָ⁠אֶשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י

The phrase pouring out refers to emptying the contents of what is inside something. Here it is used figuratively, and so the phrase pouring out my soul means telling Yahweh one’s troubles or deepest emotions. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “but I have been telling my troubles” or “but I have been telling my deepest emotions” (See: Idiom)

לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י

The phrase before the face of is a Hebrew idiom. It is used to show that something takes place in front of or in the presence of someone or something else. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying in the presence of Yahweh. Use the term or phrase in your language that would most naturally communicate that something takes place in front of someone or in the presence of someone. Alternate translation: “in the presence of” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 1:16

אֲמָ֣תְ⁠ךָ֔

Hannah speaks of herself in the third person to show humility. If your readers would misunderstand this you may use a first person pronoun here. Alternate translation: “me” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

אֲמָ֣תְ⁠ךָ֔

Here, Hannah calls herself Eli’s female servant as a humble way of showing respect. Hannah was not actually Eli’s servant. If you have an equivalent term or phrase in your language consider using it here if it would be natural. (See: Politeness)

מֵ⁠רֹ֥ב שִׂיחִ֛⁠י וְ⁠כַעְסִ֖⁠י

Here, Hannah tells Eli why she is praying the way that she is. Hannah uses three abstract nouns, abundance, complaint,* and **provocation. If your readers would misunderstand this you can translate these using verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Alternate translation: “because I am very troubled, and my rival has greatly provoked me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Samuel 1:17

Eli was the head priest residing over the tabernacle.

1 Samuel 1:18

Hannah speaks of herself in the second person to show respect for Eli, the head priest. This can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: “Let me, your servant, find” or “Let me find” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Here “find favor” is an idiom that means be approved of or that he is pleased with her. Here the eyes are a metonym for sight, and seeing represents judging or deciding the value of something. Alternate translation: “evaluated me and approve” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Here “her face” represents Hannah herself. You can make this a separate sentence, if needed. Alternate translation: “ate. She was” or “ate. People could see that she was” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 1:19

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah” (See: Euphemism)

God knew what was happening to Hannah; he had not forgotten her. See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 1:11.

1 Samuel 1:20

Alternate translation: “Hannah became pregnant”

1 Samuel 1:21

The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. Alternate translation: “his family” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 1:22

stops drinking milk and starts eating only solid food

Hannah had promised God that she would allow Samuel to live and work with Eli the priest in the temple (1 Samuel 1:11).

1 Samuel 1:23

Alternate translation: “gave her son milk”

1 Samuel 1:24

An ephah is about 22 liters of dry material. (See: Biblical Volume)

Wine was kept in animal skins, not glass bottles.

1 Samuel 1:26

חֵ֥י נַפְשְׁ⁠ךָ֖

The phrase As your spirit is alive is an oath formula. If you have a term or phrase that would be most natural in your language to express an oath in this context, consider using that. Alternative translation: (See: Oath Formulas)

בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔⁠י

The phrase Please, my master is a respectful way of addressing someone of higher status. Use the term or phrase that would be most natural in your language for addressing someone of higher status in this context. If your language has a specific way that a woman would address a man of higher status consider using that. Alternate translation: “Please, sir” (See: Politeness)

1 Samuel 1:27

The noun “petition” refers to a formal request for another person to do something. It can be translated with a verb. The idiom “to give a petition” means to do what the person requests. Alternate translation: “has agreed to do what I solemnly requested that he do” (See: Abstract Nouns and Idiom)

1 Samuel 1:28

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I am loaning him to Yahweh” (See: Active or Passive)

This could mean: (1) “He” refers to Elkanah or (2) “he” is a synecdoche referring to both Elkanah and his family. Alternate translation: “Elkanah and his family” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with Hannah’s poetic prayer in 2:1-10 .

Special concepts in this chapter

Hannah’s song of praise to God

This song is about how God protects the weak and strengthens them. He humbles the rich, provides for the poor, and defeats his enemies.

Eli’s Sons

Eli, the chief priest, had two sons. They were ungodly priests who continually sinned and did not honor God. Eli corrected them but they did not listen. A prophet warned Eli that God would stop his family from being priests and his sons would both die on the same day. At the same time, Samuel was growing up and serving God. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

This chapter has many figures of speech because the first part of the chapter is a song and the last part of the chapter is a prophecy. Songs and prophecy tend to have many figures of speech.

Synecdoches

“My heart” and “my mouth” are synecdoches referencing the speaker. (See: Synecdoche)

Metonymies

Body parts are often used to stand for activities involving that part of the body. “The feet of his faithful people” is a metonym meaning what they are doing or where they are going. Place names are often used for people in that place such as “the ends of the earth” meaning the people living in the ends of the earth. (See: Metonymy)

Metaphors

Hannah used many military metaphors: “rock,” representing protection; “the bows of the mighty men are broken,” representing military defeat; “the horn of his anointed,” representing the power of the one that God has chosen to be king. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical questions

God used three rhetorical questions to correct and condemn Eli. “Did I not reveal myself to the house of your ancestor, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?” “Why then do you scorn my offerings that I required in the place where I live?” “Why do you honor your sons above me by making yourselves fat with the best of every offering of my people Israel?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 2:1

Hannah recites a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “I have great joy”

Alternate translation: “because of who Yahweh is” or “because Yahweh is so great”

A horn is a symbol of strength. Alternate translation: “I am now strong” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 2:2

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

This is another way of saying that God is strong and faithful. (See: Metaphor)

This is a rock large enough to hide behind or to stand on and so be high above one’s enemies.

1 Samuel 2:3

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. She speaks as if other people were listening to her. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “no arrogant words”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he weighs people’s actions” or “he understands why people act as they do” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 2:4

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

This could mean: (1) the bows themselves are broken or (2) the men who carry the bows are prevented from acting. Alternate translation: “Mighty bowmen are kept from acting”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh breaks the bows of the mighty men” or “Yahweh can make even the strongest of people weak” (See: Active or Passive)

This metaphor means they will no longer stumble, but their strength will remain with them as tightly as a belt. Alternate translation: “he will make those who stumble strong” (See: Metaphor)

This is the general term for putting something around one’s waist to prepare for work.

1 Samuel 2:5

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “gives birth to seven children”

becomes weak and sad and lonely

1 Samuel 2:6

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

Yahweh is in control of everything. (See: Merism)

1 Samuel 2:7

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

Yahweh is in control of everything. (See: Merism)

1 Samuel 2:8

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

These are metaphors for the lowest position in society. (See: Metaphor)

people who do not have the things that they need

1 Samuel 2:9

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

Here “feet” is a metonym for the way a person walks, which in turn is a metaphor for the way a person decides how to live his life. Alternate translation: “keep his faithful people from making foolish decisions” or “enable his faithful people to make wise decisions” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

This polite way of saying that Yahweh will kill the wicked can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will put the wicked to silence in darkness” or “Yahweh will put the wicked in the dark and silent world of the dead” (See: Euphemism)

The words “be put to silence” are an idiom for “be made silent.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will make them silent” (See: Idiom and Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “because he is strong”

1 Samuel 2:10

Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh. (See: Parallelism)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will break those who oppose him” (See: Active or Passive)

This idiom means “defeated.” (See: Idiom)

This is an idiom that means everywhere. Alternate translation: “the whole earth” (See: Idiom)

A horn is a symbol of strength. See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 2:1. Alternate translation: “he will make the leader he has chosen stronger than his enemies” (See: Metaphor)

This speaks of the person that Yahweh chose and empowered for his purposes as if Yahweh had anointed the person with oil. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one he has anointed” or “the one he has chosen” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 2:12

When people would offer animals as sacrifices, they would first burn the animal’s fat and then boil the meat and eat it.

Alternate translation: “did not listen to Yahweh” or “did not obey Yahweh”

1 Samuel 2:13

A custom is an action that people regularly do.

1 Samuel 2:14

These are containers in which food could be cooked. If your language does not have separate words for these items it can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: “into whatever the people were cooking the meat in”

a small metal container for boiling and cooking

a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking

a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking

a clay container for cooking

1 Samuel 2:15

When people would offer animals as sacrifices, they would first burn the animal’s fat and then boil the meat, give some to the priest, and eat the rest.

Alternate translation: “They even did something worse than that. Before”

The person who actually did the burning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the man who was sacrificing took his sacrifice to the priests and the priests burned” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “Give me some meat so I can give it to the priest so he can roast it”

cook over a fire

cooked in water

not cooked

1 Samuel 2:17

The young men did not like Yahweh’s instructions regarding the offering and paid no attention to them.

1 Samuel 2:20

Hannah had asked Yahweh for a baby and promised him that she would give the baby to serve in the temple.

1 Samuel 2:21

This means where Yahweh could see him and Samuel could learn about Yahweh.

1 Samuel 2:22

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “they were having sexual relations with the women” (See: Euphemism)

1 Samuel 2:23

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is terrible that you do such things!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 2:25

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “there is certainly no one who can speak for him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “ask Yahweh to have mercy on him”

Here the father’s “voice” represents the father. Alternate translation: “their father” or “what their father said” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 2:27

This phrase usually means a prophet of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “a man who hears and tells words from God”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that I revealed myself … house.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. Alternate translation: “the family of your ancestor” (See: Metonymy)

Aaron

1 Samuel 2:28

This refers to making an offering to Yahweh.

The words “wear an ephod” are a metonym for the work of the priests who wear the ephod. Alternate translation: “to do what I had commanded the priests to do” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 2:29

The man of God continues to speak to Eli.

This rhetorical question is a rebuke. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not scorn my sacrifices … where I live.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “the place where my people bring offerings to me”

The best part of the offering was to be burned up as an offering to Yahweh, but the priests were eating it.

1 Samuel 2:30

The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 2:27. Alternate translation: “the family of your ancestor” (See: Metonymy)

This is an idiom that means “live in obedience to me.” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “I will certainly not allow your family to serve me forever”

The words “lightly esteemed” is an ironic euphemism for “greatly despised.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will lightly esteem those who despise me” or “I will greatly despise those who despise me” (See: Irony and Euphemism and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 2:31

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully to what I am about to say” or “What I am about to say is very important”

The words “cut off … strength” are probably a euphemism for the death of strong, young men; the words “your father’s house” are a metonym for “your family.” Alternate translation: “I will kill you and all strong, young male descendants in your family” (See: Euphemism and Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “be any old men” or “be any men who grow old”

1 Samuel 2:33

Alternate translation: “cause you to lose your eyesight” or “cause you to go blind”

1 Samuel 2:35

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I will cause a man to become priest” (See: Idiom)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to serve me” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “what I want him to do and what I tell him to do”

Here “house” is an idiom used for “descendants.” Alternate translation: “I will ensure that he always has a descendant who serves as high priest” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 2:36

the faithful priest whom God will raise up

Here “piece of bread” is used for “food. “Alternate translation: “so I can have something to eat” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

God speaks to Samuel

God spoke at night to Samuel when he was a small boy, telling him that he would punish Eli’s family. As Samuel grew up, God gave him many messages. People came from all over Israel to find out what God had to say.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metonymy

In order to show respect when talking to God, Samuel calls himself “your servant” when referring to himself. (See: Metonymy)

Idioms

One characteristic of prophecy is the use of figures of speech. In this passage there are two idioms: “ears will shake,” meaning “will shock everyone who hears” and “carry out,” meaning “do.” (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Idiom)

In order to be sure Samuel would tell him the whole truth, Eli used the standard formula for a curse: “may God do to you, and even more, if,” meaning “God will punish severely if the person does what the curse says he will do.” (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

1 Samuel 3:1

Alternate translation: “Yahweh did not often speak to people”

1 Samuel 3:3

This is the seven-candle lampstand in the holy place of the tabernacle that burned every day and through the night until it was empty.

The “temple” was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is best to translate the word as “temple” here. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:9.

1 Samuel 3:6

Eli was not Samuel’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were Samuel’s father to show Samuel that he is not angry but that Samuel needs to listen to him. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 3:7

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “nor had Yahweh ever revealed any message to him” or “and Yahweh had never revealed any message to him” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 3:9

Eli tells Samuel to speak to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person so that Samuel would show respect to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I am” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 3:10

This could mean: (1) Yahweh actually appeared and stood before Samuel or (2) Yahweh made his presence known to Samuel.

Samuel speaks to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person to show respect to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I am” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 3:11

Here “ears … will tingle” is an idiom that means everyone will be shocked by what they hear. Alternate translation: “that will shock everyone who hears it” (See: Idiom)

This means to feel like someone is gently poking with small, sharp objects, usually because of the cold or because someone has slapped that body part with their hand.

1 Samuel 3:12

This is a merism for completeness. Alternate translation: “absolutely everything” (See: Merism)

1 Samuel 3:13

Alternate translation: “did those things which Yahweh had said he would punish those who did them”

1 Samuel 3:14

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “there is no sacrifice or offering that anyone can offer that will atone for the sins of his house” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “the sins that the people in his family have committed”

1 Samuel 3:15

The “house” was actually a tent, but it would be best to translate “house” here.

1 Samuel 3:16

Eli was not Samuel’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were Samuel’s father to show Samuel that he is not angry but that Samuel needs to answer him. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:6. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 3:17

Alternate translation: “the message Yahweh gave”

This is an idiom to emphasize how serious Eli is. Alternate translation: “May God punish you the same way he said he will punish me, and even more” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 3:19

Here messages that do not come true are spoken of as if they fell to the ground. This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “he made all the things he prophesied happen” (See: Metaphor and Litotes)

1 Samuel 3:20

Alternate translation: “All the people in Israel”

This is a merism for “in every part of the land.” Alternate translation: “from one end of the land to the other” or “from Dan in the very north to Beersheba in the very south” (See: Merism)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh had appointed” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 4 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The Ark of the Covenant in Philistine country

This chapter begins a new section on the Ark and the Philistines. It recounts two battles between Israel and the Philistines. In both battles, Israel was badly defeated and, in the second, the Ark was captured.

Special concepts in this chapter

The Ark is captured

The Philistine army invaded Israel, and Israel’s army went to fight them but was defeated. Israel decided that if they took the Ark into the next battle, God would cause them to win. When Eli’s sons took the Ark into the next battle and the Philistines won the battle, they killed Eli’s two sons and captured the Ark. When Eli heard the Ark was captured, he fell over, broke his neck, and died. Hearing this news, his daughter-in-law named her baby “the glory has departed.”

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical Question

The Philistines expressed their fear using a rhetorical question: “Who will protect us from the strength of this mighty God?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 4:1

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 4:2

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Philistines defeated the Israelites and killed” (See: Active or Passive)

Here the number four thousand is a round number. There may have been a few more than that or a few less than that. The word “about” shows that it is not an exact number. Alternate translation: “about 4,000 men” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 4:3

the soldiers who had been fighting the battle

The elders truly did not know why Yahweh had defeated them, but they wrongly thought they knew how to make sure it did not happen again, by bringing the ark to be with them.

1 Samuel 4:4

You may need to make explicit that the cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh’s footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. Alternate translation: “who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This Phinehas is not the same as the grandson of Aaron in Exodus and Numbers.

were in Shiloh

1 Samuel 4:5

“When the people carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh into the camp” Some languages may need to add understood information to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: “The people, along with Hophni and Phinehas, picked up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and carried it into the camp. When the people carried the ark into the camp” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 4:6

Alternate translation: “the people had carried the ark of Yahweh into the camp”

1 Samuel 4:7

“they said to themselves … They said to each other” or “they said to each other … They said to each other.” The second clause clearly refers to what the Philistines said to each other. The first clause probably refers to what they thought, though it could also refer to what they said to each other. If possible, avoid stating who was spoken to.

The Philistines worshiped many gods, so they probably believed that one of those gods, or one whom they did not worship, had come into the camp. Another possible meaning is that they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel: “Yahweh has come.” Because 4:8 speaks of “gods,” some translations read, “Gods have come,” that is, “It is gods who have come.” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 4:8

This rhetorical question is an expression of deep fear. It can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no one who can protect us from these mighty gods.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Because the word “god” (or “God”) in 4:7 is singular, many translations read “this mighty god … the god who attacked,” referring to any one of many possible gods, or “this mighty God … the God who attacked,” using the proper name of the God of Israel. (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 4:9

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “be strong and fight” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 4:10

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, “Israel” refers to the army of Israel. Alternate translation: “they defeated the army of Israel” (See: Active or Passive and Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 4:11

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Philistines also took the ark of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4:12

This is a way to express deep mourning in Israelite culture.

1 Samuel 4:13

This is an idiom which means he was very fearful or terribly concerned about something. (See: Idiom)

This is a metonym for “all the people in the city.” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 4:14

Alternate translation: “The man of Benjamin”

1 Samuel 4:16

Eli was not the other man’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were the man’s father to show the man that he is not angry but that the man needs to answer him. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 4:17

This is a general statement about what happened. The rest of the man’s words give details.

Alternate translation: “I will now tell you something worse … I will now tell you something worse” or “Not only has there been … people, but your two sons”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Philistines have taken the ark of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4:18

Alternate translation: “When the man of Benjamin mentioned”

Alternate translation: “spoke of”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “His neck broke because he fell” or “He broke his neck when he fell” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4:19

Eli’s daughter-in-law

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Philistines had captured the ark of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4:20

Alternate translation: “pay any attention to what they said” or “allow herself to feel better”

1 Samuel 4:21

The name is actually a phrase that means “no glory.” The name of a person sometimes reveals information about the person, place, or thing it refers to. (See: How to Translate Names)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for the Philistines had captured the ark of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 4:22

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “because the Philistines have captured the ark of God” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 5

1 Samuel 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The story of the Ark of the Covenant in Philistia continues.

Special concepts in this chapter

The Ark in the Philistine Cities

The Philistines took the Ark of God to Ashdod and put it in their idol temple, but their idol fell down in front of the Ark and the people got sick with bubonic plague. They took it to Gath next, and the people of Gath began dying of the plague. When they took the Ark to Ekron, the people of Ekron were afraid of it too and did not want it there. Finally they decided to send it back to Israel. (See: temple, house, house of God)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idioms

There are two slightly different idioms used in the same way: the “hand was heavy” and the “hand was hard.” Both idioms mean “was severely punished.” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 5:1

This word marks the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a word or phrase that does the same, you could use it here.

See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 3:3. This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in 1 Samuel 4:3.

1 Samuel 5:2

This refers to the temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 5:3

Alternate translation: “they were very surprised to see that Dagon”

The reader should understand that Yahweh had caused the statue to fall on its face during the night. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 5:4

The reader should understand that Yahweh had caused Dagon to fall.

It was as if Yahweh were a soldier who had defeated his enemy and cut off the enemy’s head and hands.

1 Samuel 5:5

The writer is about to give some background information separate from the main story. (See: Background Information)

Here “today” means up to the day when the author was writing this book.

1 Samuel 5:6

This is an idiom. “Yahweh severely judged” (See: Idiom)

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids.

The name of the town is a metonym for the people living in the town. “both the people of Ashdod and the people in the land surrounding Ashdod” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 5:7

Alternate translation: “the men of Ashdod understood”

See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 3:3. This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in 1 Samuel 4:3.

1 Samuel 5:9

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Yahweh punished” (See: Idiom)

This could mean: (1) this is a merism that refers to age. Alternate translation: “men of all ages” or (2) this is a merism that refers social class. Alternate translation: “from the poorest and weakest men to the richest and most powerful men” (See: Merism)

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6

1 Samuel 5:10

Why they cried out can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “cried out in fear” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 5:11

See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 3:3. This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in 1 Samuel 4:3.

This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:7.

Alternate translation: “people all over the city were afraid that they were going to die”

The hand is a metonym for God punishing the people. “Yahweh was punishing the people there very severely” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 5:12

This implies that many men actually died. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.

The word “city” is a metonym for the people of the city. This could mean: (1) the words “went up to the heavens” is an idiom for “was very great.” Alternate translation: “the people of the city cried out very loudly” or (2) the words “the heavens” is a metonym for the people’s gods. Alternate translation: “the people of the city cried out to their gods” (See: Metonymy and Idiom)

1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 6 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter ends the story of the Ark of the Covenant among the Philistines.

Special concepts in this chapter

The Philistines send the Ark back to Israel

The Philistine leaders asked their priests what they should do with the Ark. The priests said to send it off with an offering. The Philistines put the Ark on a cart drawn by cows and let them go wherever they wanted to go. The cows went straight toward Israel. When some people peeked into the Ark, God killed them. Because of this, the people sent the Ark to Kiriath Jearim.

1 Samuel 6:2

These were pagan priests and diviners who worshiped Dagon.

The Philistines wanted to know how to get rid of the ark without angering Yahweh any further.

1 Samuel 6:3

This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:7.

The words “by all means” are a forceful way of saying something. Alternate translation: “you must send a guilt offering” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “you will no longer be ill”

The pronoun “you” is plural, referring to all of the Philistines. (See: Forms of You)

Here “hand” is a metonym used to represent God’s power to afflict or discipline. Alternate translation: “why he has not relieved your suffering” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 6:4

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.

more than one mouse

1 Samuel 6:5

A model is something that looks like a real thing.

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.

Alternate translation: “that are destroying”

This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:7.

Here “hand” is a metonym used to represent God’s power to afflict or discipline. Alternate translation: “stop punishing you, your gods and your land” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 6:6

The priests and diviners use a rhetorical question to urge the Philistines to think very seriously about what will happen if they refuse to obey God. This can be translated as a warning. Alternate translation: “Do not be stubborn like the Egyptians and Pharaoh were!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This is an idiom that means to be stubborn or unwilling to obey God. Alternate translation: “refuse to obey God” (See: Idiom)

This is another rhetorical question used to remind the Philistines how the Egyptians finally sent the Israelites out of Egypt so that God would stop afflicting the Egyptians. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “remember that the Egyptians sent the Israelites out of Egypt.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 6:7

Alternate translation: “two cows that have calves that are still drinking milk”

1 Samuel 6:8

Normally the two cows would head back home to their calves.

1 Samuel 6:9

It is unlikely that the cows would choose to wander to Beth Shemesh when their calves are back in the Philistine area.

1 Samuel 6:10

“two cows that have calves that are still drinking milk” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 6:7.

1 Samuel 6:11

Translated this as in 1 Samuel 6:4.

Alternate translation: “models of their tumors”

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.

1 Samuel 6:12

Nursing cows would normally return to their calves, but these cows went to Beth Shemesh.

Lowing is the noise cows make with their voices.

Alternate translation: “they did not wander off of the highway.” This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “they stayed on the highway” or “they went straight ahead”

1 Samuel 6:13

The writer is introducing a new part of the story. If your language has a way of marking the beginning of a new part of the story, you could use it here.

These were Israelites.

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “looked up” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 6:14

The people used this stone as an altar when they offered the cows as sacrifices.

1 Samuel 6:15

This actually happened before they chopped the cart into firewood to use in offering the cows to Yahweh.

According to the law of Moses, only the Levites were permitted to handle the ark.

Alternate translation: “the box containing the gold models of the rats and the tumors”

1 Samuel 6:16

Alternate translation: “the five Philistine kings”

1 Samuel 6:17

This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.

1 Samuel 6:18

Translated this as in 1 Samuel 6:4.

These are cities with high walls around them to protect the people inside from attack by their enemies.

The stone is referred to as if it is a person who can see. Alternate translation: “The great stone … is still there, and people remember what happened on it” (See: Personification)

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is what a person from Beth Shemesh is called. Alternate translation: “from Beth Shemesh” (See: How to Translate Names)

to the time at which the writer wrote the book

1 Samuel 6:19

The ark was so holy that no one was permitted to look inside it. Only the priests were allowed to even see the ark.

“fifty thousand and seventy men” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 6:20

This could mean: (1) this is a rhetorical question that expresses the people’s fear of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “There is no one who can resist Yahweh because he is so holy!” or (2) this is a question asking for information. The phrase “stand before Yahweh” may refer to priests who serve Yahweh. It is implied that the people were looking for a priest whom Yahweh would permit to handle the ark. Alternate translation: “Is there a priest among us who serves this holy God, Yahweh, and is able to handle this ark?” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is a question asking for information. It is implied that the people want Yahweh and the ark to go somewhere else so he will not punish them again. Alternate translation: “Where can we send this ark so that Yahweh will not punish us again?” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 6:21

This was a town in Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 7 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter completes the section on Samuel leading Israel.

Special concepts in this chapter

Israel begins to worship Yahweh again

Samuel told the people to get rid of all their idols and worship Yahweh alone. The people were obedient. When the Philistines heard the Israelites were all gathered together, the Philistines attacked, but God defeated them. There was a time of peace during which Samuel settled disputes between the people as the judges had done before.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idioms

Whenever Samuel spoke to a group of people, he used many idioms: “to turn to” means “to worship”; “with your whole heart” means “completely”; and “rescue from the hand” means “rescued from the power.” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 7:1

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 7:2

“20 years” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 7:3

The word “house” is a metonym for the people who live in the house and their descendants. Alternate translation: “all of the descendants of Israel” or “all of the Israelite people” (See: Metonymy)

Here “with your whole heart” is an idiom that means to be completely devoted to something. Alternate translation: “become completely devoted to worshiping and obeying Yahweh only” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 7:5

Alternate translation: “all the people of Israel” or “all the Israelites”

1 Samuel 7:6

This could mean: (1) the people denied themselves water as part of fasting or (2) they got water out of a stream or well and poured it on the ground as an outward sign of being sorry for their sin. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 7:7

It can be stated plainly that it was the army and not the rulers by themselves who attacked Israel. Alternate translation: “the Philistine rulers led their army and attacked Israel” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 7:8

The “hand” is a metonym for the power of the person. Alternate translation: “save us from the Philistine army” or “keep the Philistine army from harming us” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 7:9

a lamb that is still drinking its mother’s milk

Alternate translation: “cried out for help”

Alternate translation: “Yahweh did what Samuel asked him to do”

1 Samuel 7:10

This begins to explain what the writer means by “Yahweh answered him” in (1 Samuel 7:9).

The word “confusion” here is used as a casual way of saying the Philistines were unable to think clearly. Alternate translation: “made them unable to think clearly” (See: Idiom)

This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) “Yahweh routed them before Israel” or (2) “Israel routed them” (See: Active or Passive)

To rout people is to defeat them before they can cause any harm.

1 Samuel 7:11

This finishes explaining what the writer means by “Yahweh answered him” in (1 Samuel 7:9).

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 7:12

The Israelites and other peoples in that land would place a large stone where important events had happened as a reminder of God’s help.

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 7:13

The writer has just finished telling how the Philistines were subdued. If your language has a way of marking the end of a description, you could use it here.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh subdued the Philistines” or “Yahweh kept the Philistines from causing harm” (See: Active or Passive)

The Philistines did not enter Israel’s border to attack them.

The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “Yahweh used his power against the Philistines” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 7:14

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) Here “Israel” refers to the “land” of Israel. “Yahweh restored to the land of Israel the towns … from Israel” or (2) “Israel” is a metonym for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel were able to reclaim the towns … from Israel” (See: Active or Passive and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 7:16

traveled from place to place in a rough circle

Disputes are arguments or disagreements between two or more people.

1 Samuel 8

1 Samuel 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Saul and Samuel

The section including chapters 8-16 begins a new part of the story. The people wanted a king, and God chose Saul, the man the people wanted, to be their king. He was not the king Yahweh wanted.

Special concepts in this chapter

The people want a king

When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges. They were corrupt and took bribes, so the people came and asked Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel asked God, who gave them a king but warned them what a king would be like. Despite Samuel’s warning that a king would oppress them, the people still wanted a king. This was sinful because they were rejecting God as their king. (See: appoint, appointed, oppress, oppressed, oppression, oppressor, dominate and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

1 Samuel 8:3

The writer speaks of money that people would give Samuel’s sons as if it were a person or animal running away from Samuel’s sons, and he speaks of Samuel’s sons as if they were physically chasing that person or animal. Alternate translation: “they worked hard to gain money by being dishonest” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “judged in favor of those who did evil”

1 Samuel 8:5

The way a person lives is spoken of as walking on a path. Alternate translation: “do not do the things you do” or “do not do what is just the way you do” (See: Idiom)

This could mean: (1) “Appoint for us a king like the kings of all the nations so that he can judge us” or (2) “Appoint for us a king who will judge us the way the kings of the nations judge them”

The leaders wrongly believed that a king, and his sons after him, would rule justly.

1 Samuel 8:6

Samuel was unhappy that the people did not just want him to remove his corrupt sons and to appoint honest judges, but they wanted a king to rule over them like other countries had.

1 Samuel 8:7

Here “the voice” is a metonym for the will or the desire of the people. Alternate translation: “Do what the people say” (See: Metonymy)

Yahweh knew that the people were not just rejecting corrupt judges, but they were rejecting Yahweh as their king.

1 Samuel 8:8

This refers to Yahweh freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt many years before.

1 Samuel 8:9

Alternate translation: “Now do what they are asking you to do”

Alternate translation: “be very serious as you warn them”

1 Samuel 8:11

The practice of the king will be to take. This begins the list of things he will take.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word practice, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “This is how the king who will reign over you will act” or “This is what the king who will reign over you will do” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “have them drive chariots in battle”

They will ride horses into battle.

1 Samuel 8:13

Samuel continues to tell what things the king will take.

Alternate translation: “to make good-smelling oils to put on his body”

1 Samuel 8:14

Alternate translation: “fields of olive trees”

1 Samuel 8:15

They will have to divide their grain into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants. (See: Fractions)

They will have to divide the wine that they produce in their vineyards into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants. (See: Fractions)

These are the leaders of the king’s army.

1 Samuel 8:16

Samuel continues to tell what things the king will take.

1 Samuel 8:17

They will have to divide their flocks into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants. See how you translated “tenth” in 1 Samuel 8:15. (See: Fractions)

Alternate translation: “you will feel as if you are his slaves”

1 Samuel 8:18

This could mean: (1) the people will ask Yahweh to rescue them from the king or (2) the people will ask the king to stop treating them so badly .

1 Samuel 8:21

Here “the ears of Yahweh” refers to Yahweh. Samuel prayed to Yahweh repeating all that the people said. Alternate translation: “he repeated them to Yahweh” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 8:22

Here the metonym “their voice” refers to the will of the people. Alternate translation: “Obey the people” (See: Metonymy)

“make someone king over them.” Use the common term in your language for making someone king.

Alternate translation: “go home”

1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 9 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Samuel chooses Saul to be their king

When the donkeys of Saul’s father strayed away, Saul went looking for them. When he could not find them, he asked Samuel to ask God where they were. Samuel said the donkeys had been found. He invited Saul as the guest of honor to a feast and gave him a place to sleep for the night.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Saul uses two rhetorical questions to convince Samuel he is not important: “Am not I a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 9:1

If your language has a way of telling the reader that the writer is giving background information in these verses, you could use it here. (See: Background Information)

This could mean: (1) he was a wealthy man or (2) he was a nobleman or (3) he was a mighty and brave man.

These are names of the men of Saul’s family line. (See: How to Translate Names)

A Benjamite is someone who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin.

1 Samuel 9:2

someone who looks good

The other tall people in Israel did not even come up to his shoulders.

1 Samuel 9:3

The writer has ended the background information that began in (1 Samuel 9:1) and starts a new main part of the story.

Alternate translation: “stop what you are doing and go”

1 Samuel 9:4

These are all areas in Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

The words “them” and “they” all refer to the donkeys.

1 Samuel 9:5

This is an area in Israel just north of Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 9:6

This phrase usually means a prophet of Yahweh. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 2:27. Alternate translation: “a man who hears and tells words from God”

Alternate translation: “which way we should go to find the donkeys”

1 Samuel 9:7

Giving a gift is a sign of respect for the man of God.

This phrase usually means a prophet of Yahweh. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 2:27. Alternate translation: “a man who hears and tells words from God”

1 Samuel 9:8

“1/4 of a shekel.” A shekel is a type of money used in the Old Testament. (See: Biblical Money and Fractions)

1 Samuel 9:9

This is cultural information added by the Hebrew author. If it is not natural in your language to state this information here, it can be moved to the end of verse 11. (See: Background Information)

Alternate translation: “Seer is the old name for what we call a prophet today”

1 Samuel 9:12

These are likely the feast or first-fruit sacrifices, not the sin sacrifices, which must be held at the tabernacle.

1 Samuel 9:14

This is a place that the people had designated as holy to make sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. The writer writes as though it were outside the wall that was around the city.

1 Samuel 9:15

The writer stops telling the story and gives background information so the reader can understand what happens next. (See: Background Information)

1 Samuel 9:16

The term prince is used here instead of king. This is the man whom God has chosen to be king of Israel. (See: Euphemism)

Alternate translation: “the land where people from the tribe of Benjamin live”

Here the word “hand” is a metonym for control. Alternate translation: “from the control of the Philistines” or “so the Philistines will no longer control them” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “My people are suffering and I want to help them”

1 Samuel 9:17

Alternate translation: “Yahweh told Samuel”

1 Samuel 9:18

Alternate translation: “the prophet of Yahweh”

1 Samuel 9:20

These questions are an expression of deep conviction that Saul is the one whom Yahweh wants to be the king that the Israelites are looking for. The questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You should know that it is on you that all the desires of Israel are set. They are set on you and your father’s family.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 9:21

Saul is expressing surprise because Benjamin was the smallest tribe in Israel, and other Israelites considered the tribe unimportant. Also, Benjamites considered the clan of which Saul was a member as unimportant. If your readers would misunderstand these questions, you can express them as statements. Alternate translation: “I am from the tribe of Benjamin, the least important of all tribes. And my clan is the least important clan in our tribe. I do not understand why you are saying that the Israelite people want me and my family to do something important.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 9:22

The writer assumes that the reader knows that near the place where they would offer sacrifices there was a large building in which people would eat together.

This is the seat of honor.

“30 people” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 9:24

This could mean: (1) the other food that Saul was to eat along with the meat or (2) other parts of the bull.

In the original language it is not clear who is speaking. It is possible that the cook is speaking to Saul. Alternate translation: “Then the cook said”

1 Samuel 9:25

This is a normal place for family and guests to eat, visit, and sleep. It tends to be cooler in the evening and at night than the inside of the house.

1 Samuel 9:26

What Saul was doing on the rooftop can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “while Saul was sleeping on the rooftop, Samuel called to him and said” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 9:27

It is possible that Samuel speaks all of these words. Alternate translation: “ahead of us, and when he has gone ahead, you must stay”

Alternate translation: “so that I can tell you God’s message for you”

1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This is the first chapter about King Saul.

Special concepts in this chapter

Saul as the New King

Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be king, and on the way home he would meet some prophets. Saul would then begin prophesying and God would give him the Holy Spirit to help him to know what to do. Samuel told everyone to come to Mizpah where he announced that God had chosen Saul to be their king. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

This chapter uses rhetorical questions to express different ideas: to state a fact (“Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance?”), to express surprise (“And who is their father?”), to say he is someone very special (“Do you see the man that Yahweh has chosen?”), and to express contempt (“How can this man save us?”). (See: Rhetorical Question)

Idioms

Samuel frequently uses idioms when prophesying: “going to God” means “going to worship God”; “take it from their hands” means “accept their gift”; “rush upon you” means “control you”; “hand finds to do” means “what you think you should do”; “God is with you” means “God is directing you”; “another heart” means “a different way of thinking”; “came to pass” means “happened”; “before Yahweh” means “to do work for Yahweh”; and “hearts God had touched” means “God had made them want to help Saul.” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 10:1

In Israelite culture, when a prophet poured oil on someone’s head, that person received a blessing from Yahweh.

a small container made from baked clay

Samuel knows the answer to his question. He is reminding Saul that Yahweh has chosen him to be king of Israel. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has certainly anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 10:2

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

Saul’s father is now concerned about Saul and wants to find him.

1 Samuel 10:3

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 10:4

The hands are a synecdoche for the person. “take from them” or “accept” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 10:5

This is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken. (See: Translate Unknowns)

1 Samuel 10:6

The phrase “rush upon” means that Yahweh’s Spirit will influence Saul. In this case it means it means he will make Saul prophesy and act like a different person. (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 10:7

Here Samuel speaks of Saul’s hand as if it were a person trying to find things. Alternate translation: “do whatever you think is right to do” (See: Personification)

1 Samuel 10:9

God enabled Samuel to think differently from the way he had thought before. (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 10:10

Samuel speaks as if the Spirit of Yahweh were a person running up to Saul and taking complete control of him. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 10:6. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of Yahweh took complete control of him” (See: Personification)

1 Samuel 10:11

This could mean: (1) the people are asking for information or (2) this is a rhetorical question that means Saul is not important. Alternate translation: “Kish is not an important person, so it cannot be true that his son has become a prophet!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Saul, the son of Kish”

1 Samuel 10:12

This man uses a rhetorical question to remind people that being a prophet has nothing to do with who one’s parents are. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “It does not matter who the parents of these other prophets are. What matters is that, amazingly, Saul is speaking messages from God.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This became a proverb among the Israelites. Apparently people said this to express surprise when a person unexpectedly did something that he had not done before. The implied meaning of the question can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “And that is why, when people cannot believe some report, they think about what happened to Saul and say, ‘Is Saul really one of the prophets?’” (See: Proverbs and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 10:14

Alternate translation: “Then the brother of Saul’s father said to Saul”

1 Samuel 10:16

Alternate translation: “Saul did not tell his uncle that God had appointed him to be the king of Israel”

1 Samuel 10:18

The name “Israel” is a metonym for the people of Israel. “I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt” (See: Metonymy)

The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “the power of the Egyptians … the power of all the kingdoms” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 10:19

Samuel is speaking of the time since Israel had begun to reject God, not only the time since the sun had last set.

Alternate translation: “Give us a king to rule us”

Alternate translation: “gather together by tribes and clans and come to stand before Yahweh”

1 Samuel 10:20

This can be translated in active form. It is probably best not to say how the people knew whom Yahweh had chosen. Alternate translation: “Yahweh chose the tribe of Benjamin” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 10:21

This can be translated in active form. It is probably best not to say how the people knew whom Yahweh had chosen. Alternate translation: “Yahweh chose the clan of the Matrites … Yahweh chose Saul son of Kish” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 10:23

The other tall people in Israel did not even come up to his shoulders. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 9:2.

1 Samuel 10:25

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word kingship, you could express the same idea with a noun clause. Alternate translation: “the customs and rules that a king would be required to follow” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Samuel 10:26

God touching a person’s heart is an idiom that means God put something in their mind or moved them to do something. Alternate translation: “who wanted to go with Saul because God had changed their thinking” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 10:27

This is a rhetorical question that is used to express sarcasm. Alternate translation: “This man has no power to save us!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

strongly disliked or hated

1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues the story of King Saul by telling of his first victory in war.

Special concepts in this chapter

Saul rescues the people of Jabesh Gilead

Nahash, king of the Ammonites, and his army surrounded the Israeli town of Jabesh Gilead. When the city’s leaders asked for peace terms, Nahash demanded the right to poke out one eye of every man in order to show Israel their weakness. When Saul heard this, he called for all of Israel to help save this city. Many people came to help Saul’s army. Israel was victorious and everyone wanted Saul as their king. At this time, Israel was not a truly unified country, even though it is often spoken of as one country. (See: save, saved, safe, salvation and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idioms

The idioms in this chapter explain the effect God has on his people: “rushed upon him” means “empowered him”; “terror … fell” means “they became afraid”; “as one man” means “they all agreed”; and “put to death” means “kill.” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 11:1

This is a man from Ammon, a descendent of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 11:2

Alternate translation: “I cut out” or “I pluck out”

Alternate translation: “bring shame on” or “bring a bad reputation to”

1 Samuel 11:3

“7 days” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 11:4

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 11:6

The phrase “rushed upon” means Yahweh’s Spirit influenced Saul. In this case he enabled Saul to cause the people to fearfully respect him as their king and to join his army. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 10:6.

1 Samuel 11:7

Saul was calling all the men of Israel to come fight against Nahash and the Ammonites.

Yahweh enabled people to fearfully respect Saul as their king. The result was that the men rallied together with Saul at Bezek.

1 Samuel 11:8

This is the name of a town near Jabesh Gilead. (See: How to Translate Names)

“the people of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah were 30,000” ( See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 11:9

“They” refers to Samuel and Saul.

Alternate translation: “before the hottest part of the day” or “before noon”

These are the names of places. See how you translated them in 1 Samuel 11:1.

1 Samuel 11:10

This is the name of a king. See how you translated this name in 1 Samuel 11:1.

1 Samuel 11:11

This was before dawn when most people in the camp were still asleep.

1 Samuel 11:15

Alternate translation: “made Saul king while Yahweh watched”

Part of Samuel’s service to Yahweh is to offer sacrifices even though he is not from the line of Aaron or Levi.

1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Samuel’s farewell address

This chapter serves as a type of farewell address. This is a way for leaders to give instructions to their followers before they leave or die. Samuel first established his holiness before calling on the people to repent of their desire to have a king. (See: holy, holiness, unholy, sacred and repent, repentance)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

It is common in Scripture to use Israel’s history to show how faithful God has been. This gives the readers evidence to trust in Yahweh in their current situation. (See: faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

1 Samuel 12:2

These expressions mean that people can actually see the kind of lives Saul and Samuel are living. Alternate translation: “the king’s life was seen … My life was seen” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 12:3

By this statement, Samuel is challenging the people to speak up if he has done anything wrong to anyone. Alternate translation: “I stand in front of you now. I ask you to speak in front of Yahweh and his anointed king if I have done you any wrong” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Samuel uses rhetorical questions to remind the people that he has never stolen their animals. Alternate translation: “I have never stolen a prized animal from anyone.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Samuel uses another rhetorical question to say he has always been honest. Alternate translation: “I have never cheated or bribed any man.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “If I have done any of these evil things, speak now, and I will pay back what I owe. I will make right any wrong”

1 Samuel 12:4

This phrase means what a person possesses or what they have done to obtain favor from others. This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes. (See: Euphemism)

1 Samuel 12:5

This phrase means what a person possesses or what they have done to obtain favor from others. This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes. (See: Euphemism)

1 Samuel 12:7

Samuel is calling their attention to the history of Yahweh’s dealing with Israel, which has been filled with goodness and purpose.

1 Samuel 12:8

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 12:9

Alternate translation: “into the power of Sisera … Philistines … king of Moab”

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is an expression for God giving them over to their enemies to be their slaves.

1 Samuel 12:10

“They” refers to the nation of Israel.

Serving here is referring to acting worshipful towards the false gods. Alternate translation: “have worshiped false gods and goddesses” (See: Metonymy)

This statement is using “hand” to refer to power. Alternate translation: “the power or control of our enemies” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 12:11

This is sometimes translated Jerubbaal. This is a name of godly honor and strength to fight the false god.

Samuel is telling the story of what God did after the people’s confession of sin and plea for help. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

These are the names of some judges that God raised up. Samuel included himself in this list. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 12:13

These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that this is the king whom the people wanted. (See: Parallelism)

1 Samuel 12:14

These similar words are used to emphasize how important this is. (See: Parallelism)

1 Samuel 12:15

This speaks of Yahweh punishing the people as his “hand” being against them. The word “hand” here represents Yahweh’s power and control. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will punish you, just as he punished your ancestors” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 12:16

The word “eyes” here represents the people of the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “out in the open where all of the nation of Israel may see” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 12:17

Samuel knows it is harvest time. He is using a rhetorical question to emphasize that it does not usually rain at this time so the people will know that the rain that will ruin their harvest is a judgment from Yahweh. Alternate translation: “It is harvest time and does not usually rain at this time” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Samuel is asking Yahweh to punish Israel for asking for a king by sending a rainstorm during the harvest which will ruin the grain.

1 Samuel 12:19

The ultimate punishment for sin is death. The nation of Israel had seen Yahweh destroy the nations that had oppressed them. They were concerned that they had become “dedicated for destruction” like those nations.

1 Samuel 12:20

The people did evil and were afraid of God destroying them. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid that God will be angry and destroy you because of this sin” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 12:21

Alternate translation: “pursue worship of false gods”

1 Samuel 12:22

Here “name” refers to the reputation of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “So that people will continue to honor and respect Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 12:23

The people are filled with fear because of the rain and thunder that Yahweh sent when Samuel prayed. Some people may believe Samuel would use his prayers to harm them. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter is the beginning of a story about Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines.

Special concepts in this chapter

Preparation for the battle

Saul sent most of his army home before Jonathan attacked and defeated a Philistine garrison. This attack made the Philistines very angry, and they brought a huge army into Israel and camped at the top of a hill. Most of Saul’s army ran away in fear and hid from the Philistines. There are many aspects of this story that give the reader the impression that Israel was unprepared for battle.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Hyperbole

Wanting to express the vast number of enemy soldiers, the author uses a hyperbole: “as numerous as the sand on the seashore,” meaning “too many to count.” (See: Hyperbole)

1 Samuel 13:1

Samuel has renewed Saul’s kingdom at Gilgal and Samuel has reminded the people to follow the Lord.

The text of this verse in ancient copies seems to have been mutilated, so modern versions have many different translations. They are all attempts to represent the most probable meaning of the original text.

1 Samuel 13:2

“chose 3,000 men” (See: Numbers)

“2,000 men were with him” (See: Numbers)

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

Gibeah is a town. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 10:26.

Alternate translation: “He sent the rest of the soldiers home”

1 Samuel 13:3

Alternate translation: “military base of the Philistines” or “military camp of the Philistines”

This is the name of the town that the Philistine garrison was stationed in. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 13:4

This could mean: (1) Saul was taking responsibility for Jonathan’s actions or (2) Saul was taking credit for Jonathan’s actions.

The Philistines hating the Israelites is spoken of as if the Israelites had become a bad smell that offended the Philistines. Alternate translation: “the Philistines hated the Israelites” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Saul called the soldiers together to join him at Gilgal” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 13:5

“3,000…6,000” (See: Numbers)

This is an exaggeration that means a group of soldiers so large that it was difficult to count them. (See: Hyperbole)

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 13:6

The Philistines had gathered together to fight against Israel.

This phrase refers to the nation of Israel.

Alternate translation: “the people worried greatly”

1 Samuel 13:7

The people were greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 13:8

Alternate translation: “according to the time Samuel had told them he would come”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the people had started to leave Saul” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 13:9

Only the line of Aaron was permitted to perform the burnt offering sacrifice to God.

1 Samuel 13:11

Samuel was not really asking a question, but giving a rebuke to Saul. Saul sought to defend his actions even though they were wrong. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Michmash is the name of a place. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 13:2.

1 Samuel 13:13

Saul was to wait for Samuel to come and sacrifice the burnt offering to God. He was not to perform the sacrifice himself.

Alternate translation: “set up your rule” or “authorized your rule” or “appointed your rule”

1 Samuel 13:14

This is a litotes that can be stated in the positive form. Alternate translation: “your rule will end soon” (See: Litotes)

Here “heart” represents Yahweh’s desire or will. The phrase “man after his own heart” is an idiom that means to be a person who does what Yahweh desires. Alternate translation: “a man who is the kind of person he wants” or “a man who will obey him” (See: Metonymy and Idiom)

1 Samuel 13:15

This is an idiom for “Samuel left and went up.” (See: Idiom)

Gilgal is a city. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 7:15.

Gibeah is a town. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 10:26.

“600 men” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 13:16

Geba is a town. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 13:3.

Michmash is the name of a place. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 13:2.

1 Samuel 13:17

Raiders are normally military people who attack enemy villages for their food and other supplies.

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 13:18

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 13:19

The narrative shifts to background information regarding blacksmiths in Israel.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “No one could find a blacksmith” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “blacksmith” refers to someone who made or sharpened metal tools and weapons.

1 Samuel 13:20

The words “plow points” refer to the point of a metal tool used for digging up the ground for planting crops.

These are common garden tools.

A “mattock” is a broad-bladed axe, with a horizontal blade that is used for breaking up hard soil.

a curved blade for cutting grasses and grain stalks

1 Samuel 13:21

The shekel is divided into 3 parts, 2 of 3 parts are given. “2/3 of a shekel” (See: Biblical Money)

Alternate translation: “taking out the bend and making the ox goad straight again so it could be used”

1 Samuel 13:22

This explains in part why Saul’s army was afraid. They did not have any weapons to fight.

1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter completes the story of Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines.

Special concepts in this chapter

The battle against the Philistines

Jonathan took his armor bearer to where the Philistines were on the top of the hill. He said God could use a few people just as easily as he could use many people to win his battles. He and his armor bearer started killing the Philistines, and suddenly the Philistines began fighting each other or running away. The rest of Israel, who had hidden, came and chased the Philistines. Even though Israel had a king, God was still in control of the nation of Israel.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Special reference

The people of Israel often used the term “uncircumcised” to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to mean the Philistines. (See: circumcise, circumcised, circumcision, uncircumcised, uncircumcision)

1 Samuel 14:1

Jonathan begins his second raid on the Philistines’ army.

a teenage boy who is responsible for caring for his master’s weapons of war

This is an outpost staffed by the Philistine army.

1 Samuel 14:2

This is the name of a hill north of Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

a tree whose fruit is thick skinned, round, red and has many seeds to eat

“Migron” is the name of a place north of Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

“600 men were with him” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 14:3

“Ahitub” and “Ichabod” are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Phinehas was one of the priests. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:3.

1 Samuel 14:4

A “cliff” is a rocky height with a steep drop. The cliff was well-known and given the name “Bozez.” (See: How to Translate Names)

This was the name of the other cliff. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:5

towns north of Jerusalem (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:6

This was a teenage boy who was responsible for caring for his master’s weapons of war. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 14:1.

a derogatory term used for non-Jewish men

Alternate translation: “work for our support” or “help us”

This double negative can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh can save” (See: Double Negatives)

These extremes also include everything in between. Alternate translation: “by any number of people” (See: Merism)

1 Samuel 14:7

Here “heart” refers to Jonathan’s desires. Alternate translation: “everything that you desire to do” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 14:9

Alternate translation: “will not go over to the other side of the valley where the Philistines are”

1 Samuel 14:10

Here “hand” refers to the power to defeat them. Alternate translation: “will enable us to defeat them” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “This will confirm that the Lord will be with us”

1 Samuel 14:11

Alternate translation: “allowed the Philistine soldiers to see them”

the army camp

The Philistines implied that the Hebrews had been hiding in holes in the ground like animals. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 14:12

This is an idiom that means “we will teach you a lesson.” (See: Idiom)

Here “hand” refers to power to defeat the Philistines. Alternate translation: “will enable Israel to defeat them” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 14:13

He did this because it was very steep. This could be made explicit. Alternate translation: “So Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and his feet because it was very steep” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Jonathan killed the Philistines” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “Jonathan’s armor bearer followed him and also killed Philistine soldiers”

1 Samuel 14:15

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word panic, you could express the same idea with a verb or as an adjective. Alternate translation: “The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, panicked” or “The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, became very afraid” (See: Abstract Nouns)

the Philistines who were raiding Israelite cities

It may be helpful to state the cause. Alternate translation: “God caused the ground to shake” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 14:16

This was the town where Saul was born. Translated “Gibeah” as in 1 Samuel 10:26. (See: How to Translate Names)

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that the soldiers were running away in every direction. (See: Parallelism)

1 Samuel 14:18

A few versions have “ephod” here instead of “ark of God.” (See: Textual Variants)

1 Samuel 14:19

great noise and confusion

This seems to be an idiom the means “Stop what you are doing.” Saul did not want Ahijah to continue to use the ark to ask God for direction. Alternate translation: “Do not bring the sacred chest at this time” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 14:20

the remnant of the Israelite army that remained with Saul

The swords are spoken of as if they were living people. Alternate translation: “The Philistine soldiers were striking each other with their swords” (See: Personification)

1 Samuel 14:22

This does not refer to an ambush. These soldiers were hiding because they were afraid of the Philistines. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Israelite soldiers who were afraid and had hidden themselves in the hills” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 14:23

This is a place in Israel. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 13:5. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:24

It was understood by the troops that no refreshment was permitted under Saul’s oath.

1 Samuel 14:25

The Philistine soldiers fled through the forests and the Israelite soldiers followed them there.

1 Samuel 14:26

This is an exaggeration to emphasize how much honey there was in the forest. Alternate translation: “there was a lot of honey everywhere” (See: Hyperbole)

Here putting one’s “hand to his mouth” is a metonym that means to eat. Alternate translation: “no one ate any” (See: Metonymy)

The people were not afraid of the oath, but of the punishment that was associated with breaking the oath. Alternate translation: “the people were afraid of what Saul would do to them if they broke his oath” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 14:27

Jonathan learns of his father’s oath.

Here the obligation to obey an oath is spoken of as if the people were bound with ropes. Alternate translation: “commanded that the people obey his oath” (See: Metaphor)

Here “hand to his mouth” is a metonym that means to eat. Alternate translation: “He ate some honey” (See: Metonymy)

This idiom means that he was strengthened. Alternate translation: “he regained his strength” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 14:29

This is a metonym that represents the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “for Israel” (See: Metonymy)

This idiom means that he was strengthened. Alternate translation: “I regained my strength” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 14:30

Jonathan uses this hypothetical question to state that the people should have been allowed to eat. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: “Our victory would have been better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder that they took from their enemies.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Hypothetical Situations)

This word refers to the things the people had taken from the battle with their enemy.

Because the troops were not able to eat during the battle, as the day progressed, they became weaker. Because of this, they were not able to kill as many of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 14:31

Jonathan’s words lead the army to sin against God in their great hunger.

This is the name of a town. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 13:2.

a place in Zebulun in Israel (See: How to Translate Names)

This refers to the Israelites.

1 Samuel 14:32

The were so hungry they did not drain the blood first before eating. This was a violation of the Law which was given to Moses for the nation of Israel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “ate them without draining the blood first as required by the law” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 14:33

This was a violation of the Law which was given to Moses for the nation of Israel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “by eating meat without draining the blood first as required by the law” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Saul is accusing his whole army of acting unfaithfully though this is a generalization because not every soldier acted unfaithfully. (See: Hyperbole)

The stone would hold the animals up and make it easier to drain the blood from them. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 14:34

This would allow Saul to observe if the blood was properly drained from the animals.

1 Samuel 14:35

Saul had told the people to bring their animals to a big stone to kill and eat.

It is unclear if Saul built this altar with the large stone that the people brought to him in 1 Samuel 14:33.

1 Samuel 14:36

Saul seeks to continue the fight against the Philistines.

This is stated in a negative way to emphasize the slaughter. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “let us kill every one of them” (See: Litotes)

Saul had the support of his army to continue the fight.

Here “approaching God” is associated with asking him counsel. Alternate translation: “Let us ask God what we should do” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 14:37

Here “hand” refers to the power to defeat them. Alternate translation: “enable us to defeat them” (See: Metonymy)

This implies that God was not willing to help Saul.

1 Samuel 14:38

This refers to the Israelites.

Alternate translation: “find who sinned”

1 Samuel 14:39

Saul stated this as a hypothetical situation because he did not believe that Jonathan was guilty. (See: Hypothetical Situations)

The people remained silent because most of them knew that Jonathan had broken Saul’s oath. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “His men knew who was guilty, but none of them said anything to Saul” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 14:40

This was a generalization since only the Israelite soldiers were present. Alternate translation: “Then he said to the Israelite soldiers who were there” (See: Hyperbole)

1 Samuel 14:41

The Israelites at that time used special stones called the Urim and the Thummim to receive direction from God. Alternate translation: “Show us by means of the Thummim” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is a borrowed word from the original language. (See: Copy or Borrow Words)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The lots indicated that either Jonathan or Saul was guilty, but the army was not guilty” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 14:42

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then the lot indicated that Jonathan was guilty” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 14:43

The lots had just showed that Jonathan had sinned.

Alternate translation: “Tell me how you have sinned” or “Tell me what you have done that was wrong”

This could mean: (1) “I am willing to die” or (2) “do I deserve to be executed because of doing that?”

1 Samuel 14:44

Saul makes a second foolish oath in less than one day. Alternate translation: “May God kill me if I do not kill you, Jonathan”

1 Samuel 14:45

The Army defends and protects Jonathan from Saul.

The people scold Saul. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Jonathan has just accomplished this great victory for Israel. He should surely not die.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The people were expressing their certainty that they would not let anything happen to Jonathan.

This exaggeration shows how the people of Israel would protect Jonathan and keep him safe. This litotes can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “we will protect him from any harm” (See: Hyperbole and Litotes)

1 Samuel 14:47

For a brief period Saul served with great courage in defeating Israel’s enemies.

This is a metonym that represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” (See: Metonymy)

This refers to the people of Moab. Alternate translation: “the Moabites” (See: Metonymy)

This refers to the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “the Edomites” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “Wherever he sent his army”

1 Samuel 14:48

The word “hand” represents control. Alternate translation: “out of the control” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 14:49

This is background information on Saul’s family.

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are names of women. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:50

This is the name of a woman. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:51

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 14:52

Alternate translation: “all of Saul’s life”

Alternate translation: “he forced him to join his army”

1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel 15 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This is the end of the section on Saul and Samuel (8-15).

Special concepts in this chapter

God wants total obedience

Samuel told Saul that God wanted him to completely destroy the Amalekite people and animals. Saul fought the Amalekites and killed all the people except the king. He destroyed the animals that were not very good but saved the best animals. Saul told Samuel he had obeyed God’s command. Samuel asked him about the animals Saul had. Saul said he had saved them for a sacrifice to God. God said that obedience was better than sacrifice. Because Saul had disobeyed him, God had chosen someone else to become king.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idiom

“He has turned back from following me” is an idiom meaning “he has stopped obeying me.” (See: Idiom)

Rhetorical questions

When Saul insisted that he had obeyed God, Samuel rebuked him with these rhetorical questions: “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”; “Though you are little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel?”; “Why then did you not obey the voice of Yahweh, but instead you seized the booty and did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh?”; and “Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 15:1

Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh”

1 Samuel 15:3

These two phrases mean the same thing. The second phrase gives specific details about what they are to destroy completely. (See: Parallelism)

This negative statement emphasizes the completeness of the destruction. (See: Litotes)

1 Samuel 15:4

Alternate translation: “the army”

Alternate translation: “counted them”

“200,000 men on foot, and 10,000 men of Judah” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 15:6

a nomad people group that had always been friendly to the nation of Israel (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 15:7

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 15:8

Yahweh had told Saul to destroy everything, but here Saul disobeys Yahweh’s command.

Here Saul represents himself accompanied by his army. Alternate translation: “Saul and his army took Agag” or “Saul and his army captured Agag” (See: Synecdoche)

The “edge of the sword” represents the swords and other weapons that soldiers used in battle. Here Saul represents himself accompanied by his army. Alternate translation: “they completely destroyed all of the people with their swords” or “they killed all of the people with their swords” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 15:9

Saul disobeyed God by letting Agag live.

Saul disobeyed God by keeping the best of the livestock.

1 Samuel 15:10

The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Samuel. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Samuel:” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 15:11

Alternate translation: “I am sorry”

Saul not obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if Saul had physically turned away from walking behind God. Alternate translation: “he has stopped following me” (See: Metaphor)

“has not obeyed what I commanded him to do.” Saul was to completely destroy everything and everyone. God had placed a ban on the Amalekites. But Saul permitted some livestock to live.

This could mean: (1) Samuel was angry with Saul for his disobedience or (2) Samuel was disturbed.

1 Samuel 15:12

Alternate translation: “Someone told Samuel”

Saul was full of pride.

Gilgal was lower in elevation than Carmel.

1 Samuel 15:13

It is not clear if Saul understood that he had not fully obeyed God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 15:14

Samuel questions why Saul did not utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

These are the sounds that these animals make. Your language may have different terms for these.

These two phrases mean the same thing. Here “in my ears” refers to hearing. (See: Parallelism and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 15:15

The word “they” and the phrase “the people” here both represent Saul’s army. Saul is blaming the people rather than himself.

Saul is arguing that animals for sacrifice were an exception to Yahweh’s command to destroy everything.

Saul here does not describe Samuel’s God as his own God.

1 Samuel 15:17

Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your own opinion” or “in your judgment” (See: Metaphor)

Samuel uses this question to remind Saul of now much God had given him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh made you the ruler of the tribes of Israel!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 15:19

Samuel asks this question to rebuke Saul for disobeying Yahweh. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have obeyed … Yahweh!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded” (See: Metonymy)

Samuel is accusing Saul of direct disobedience. Yahweh commanded Saul to completely destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites, and not to bring anything back to camp.

Alternate translation: “the plunder” or “the possessions you took from the enemy”

Here “sight” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts or opinion. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh considers to be evil” or “what is evil in Yahweh’s judgement” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 15:20

This is an emphatic statement. It is unclear if Saul thought this was true, or if he was simply making excuses for his sin.

Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded” (See: Metonymy)

This is the name of the king of the Amalekites. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 15:21

This appears to be shifting the blame to the people.

Alternate translation: “animals that Yahweh commanded them to destroy”

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 15:22

Samuel asks this question to emphasize that obedience is much more important than sacrifice. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh does not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying his voice!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded” (See: Metonymy)

God wanted Saul’s complete obedience in the destruction of the Amalekites. Nothing in the land was fit for sacrifice.

Alternate translation: “better than to sacrifice the fat of rams as a burnt offering”

1 Samuel 15:23

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word rebellion, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “to rebel is as sinful as practicing divination” (See: Abstract Nouns)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word stubbornness, you could express the same idea with a verb. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wickedness, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “being stubborn is as bad as doing wicked things and practicing iniquity” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s message” or “Yahweh’s command”

Alternate translation: “decided that you will no longer be king”

1 Samuel 15:24

This is an idiom that means he had disobeyed the commandment. Alternate translation: “I have disobeyed what Yahweh commanded” (See: Idiom)

This is the reason Saul gives for not obeying God. Alternate translation: “because I was afraid of the soldiers”

Here “voice” refers to what the soldiers asked Saul to do. Alternate translation: “did what they asked” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 15:25

Saul and Samuel were apparently talking in private away from the other people.

1 Samuel 15:26

Samuel made it clear that Saul understood that he was disobeying God at the time when he spared the best animals and did not kill Agag.

“rejected Yahweh’s command” or “rejected Yahweh’s message.” This means that he refused to obey Yahweh’s command. Alternate translation: “refused to obey Yahweh’s command” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 15:27

Saul did this to try to stop Samuel from leaving. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “Saul tried to stop him by grabbing the edge of Samuel’s robe” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “the edge of his robe” or “the fringe of his robe”

1 Samuel 15:28

This refers back to when Saul tore Samuel’s robe in 1 Samuel 15:27. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Just as you tore my robe, Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

God had already decided who would be the next king after Saul.

1 Samuel 15:29

Here Yahweh is referred to as “the Strength of Israel” because he gives strength to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, who is the strength of Israel” (See: Idiom and Metonymy)

This is stated as a negative to emphasize that God tells the truth. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “will always tell the truth and do what he says” (See: Litotes)

This refers to his thoughts and decisions. Alternate translation: “what he has decided to do” (See: Metonymy)

This is stated as a negative to emphasize that God is trustworthy. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “he is God, and will do what he says he will do” (See: Litotes)

1 Samuel 15:30

Saul may have been more interested in being honored by the people than in actually worshipping God.

Here “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “before the people of Israel and the elders who lead them” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “Come back with me” or “Return with me”

1 Samuel 15:31

This implies that Samuel changed his mind, and that they went together to where the people were. Alternate translation: “So Samuel finally agreed to do that, and they went together back to where the people were”

1 Samuel 15:32

Alternate translation: “They brought Agag to him bound by chains and Agag said”

This idiom appears to mean that Agag no longer thought he would be killed. Alternate translation: “Surely I am no longer in danger or dying” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 15:33

Both of these phrases have similar meaning and may be intended to be in poetic form. Alternate translation: “Since you have killed people, you will also be killed” (See: Parallelism)

This is a polite way of referring to killing people. Alternate translation: “killed the sons of other women, so shall I kill your mother’s son” (See: Euphemism)

Samuel is the one who completed this task that Yahweh commanded Saul to do. Alternate translation: “Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces with his sword”

1 Samuel 15:34

These are the names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)

Gibeah was higher in elevation than Gilgal where Saul and Samuel had been talking.

1 Samuel 15:35

Alternate translation: “Samuel did not see Saul again for as long as he lived”

1 Samuel 16

1 Samuel 16 General Notes

Structure and formatting

1 Samuel 16-31 Saul and David

Chapter 16 establishes God’s choice of David to be the next king. David receives the Holy Spirit to empower and guide him as the king. This chapter also records the Holy Spirit leaving Saul because of his disobedience. (See: Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit)

Special concepts in this chapter

David chosen to be the next king

Humans judge others by what they look like, but God judges people by their true inner character. God rejected David’s older brothers in favor of David, who truly loved and obeyed him. (See: judge, judgment and love, beloved)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical Question

God scolds Samuel with this rhetorical question for his unwillingness to accept God’s decision: “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?” It was wrong to mourn because it was God’s punishment of Saul. (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 16:1

This rhetorical question is a rebuke from God and can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Stop mourning that I rejected Saul from being king over Israel.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The term “horn” was sometimes used to refer to a “flask” that was shaped like a horn and was used for holding water or oil. A flask of oil was used for anointing a king.

1 Samuel 16:2

Samuel uses a question to emphasize that he is worried about going to Bethlehem. Alternate translation: “I cannot go!” or “I am afraid to go.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

You can state the understood information. Alternate translation: “with you to Bethlehem and say to the people there” (See: Ellipsis)

This has a quotation within a quotation. The direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “say to the people there that you have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.” (See: Quotes within Quotes and Direct and Indirect Quotations)

1 Samuel 16:4

It seems the elders were trembling because they were worried that Samuel came to rebuke them. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 16:5

This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “Yes, I have come in peace” (See: Ellipsis)

To set someone apart means to get that person ready for Yahweh’s purposes by making sure that person is ritually clean according to the law of Moses.

1 Samuel 16:6

Here “they” refers to Jesse and his sons.

Here “he” refers to Samuel.

This is the name of Jesse’s oldest son. (See: How to Translate Names)

Here “him” refers to Yahweh.

1 Samuel 16:7

Here “see” means to evaluate something. (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “For I, Yahweh, do not see … I, Yahweh, look” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Here “heart” represents a person’s inner being. (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 16:8

This is the name of one of Jesse’s sons. (See: How to Translate Names)

Alternate translation: “told him to go to Samuel”

1 Samuel 16:9

It is understood that Shammah passed by Samuel. Alternate translation: “Jesse then made Shammah pass before Samuel” or “Jesse then told Shammah to go to Samuel” (See: Ellipsis)

This is the name of one of Jesse’s sons. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 16:11

Alternate translation: “There is still my youngest son”

It is understood that they were waiting to sit down and eat. Alternate translation: “we will not sit down to eat” (See: Ellipsis)

1 Samuel 16:12

The word “Now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells about a new person in the story.

The word “ruddy” means David was healthy looking.

1 Samuel 16:13

The term “horn” was sometimes used to refer to a “flask” that was shaped like a horn and was used for holding water or oil. A flask of oil was used for anointing a king. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 16:1.

It is implied that he rose up after they sat down to eat. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The phrase “rushed on” means Yahweh’s Spirit influenced David. In this case it means he enabled David to fulfill whatever Yahweh wanted him to do. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 10:6.

1 Samuel 16:14

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.

This may refer to either a “spirit that causes trouble” or an “evil spirit.”

1 Samuel 16:16

The servants refer to Saul in the third person as “our master.” Alternate translation: “We ask that you, our master, command” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

The servants refer to themselves in the third person as “your servants.” Alternate translation: “command us, your servants who attend to you, to look” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Alternate translation: “troubles you”

1 Samuel 16:18

This could mean: (1) “a great warrior” or (2) “a very brave man.”

Alternate translation: “one wise in speech” or “one who speaks wisely”

Here “with him” means Yahweh helps and blesses David. (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 16:21

Here “came” can be translated as “went.” (See: Go and Come)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word service, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “began to serve him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “David became Saul’s armor bearer”

1 Samuel 16:22

Here “stand before me” is an idiom that means to continue in Saul’s service. Alternate translation: “Let David stay in my service” (See: Idiom)

Here “eyes” are a metonym for sight, and “my sight” represents how Saul judges or evaluates David. Alternate translation: “he has found favor in my judgment” or “I am pleased with him” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

1 Samuel 16:23

Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either a “spirit that causes trouble” or an “evil spirit.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 16:14.

Alternate translation: “troubled Saul”

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the music would refresh Saul and make him well” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter introduced David as a soldier, a skill that will be important for the rest of his life.

Special concepts in this chapter

David kills Goliath

Trust in God is more powerful than physical might or military training and equipment. David, trusting in the Lord and armed only with a sling, defeats Goliath who is well-armed and physically strong but who did not believe in Yahweh. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness and believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Uncircumcised

The people of Israel often used the term “uncircumcised” to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to describe the Philistines. (See: circumcise, circumcised, circumcision, uncircumcised, uncircumcision)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

David uses rhetorical questions to state his desire to fight the giant: “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

His brother uses rhetorical questions to show his disdain for his younger brother, whom he thinks is pretending to be bigger than he really is: “Why did you come down here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” David defends himself with some questions: “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?”

Goliath also uses a rhetorical question to show his contempt for young David: “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”

1 Samuel 17:2

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 17:4

A cubit is a unit of measurement equal to about 46 centimeters. A span is a unit of measurement equal to about 23 centimeters. Alternate translation: “about 3 meters” (See: Biblical Distance)

1 Samuel 17:5

A “coat of chainmail” is a flexible piece of body armor covered with protective scales or small plates. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he protected himself by wearing a coat of chainmail” or “he wore a coat of chainmail” (See: Active or Passive)

A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 55 kilograms” (See: Biblical Weight)

1 Samuel 17:6

A “javelin” is a small spear that is meant to be thrown.

1 Samuel 17:7

Alternate translation: “the handle of his spear”

Alternate translation: “rope rolled up into a circle”

Alternate translation: “The point of his spear”

A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 7 kilograms” (See: Biblical Weight)

1 Samuel 17:8

“Why have you come to fight in battle against us?” Goliath uses this question to mock the Israelites. Alternate translation: “You are fools if you think you can fight in battle against us!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Goliath uses this question to mock the Israelites. When he says that he is a Philistine, he is implying that he is strong. Alternate translation: “I am a great Philistine, and you are merely servants of Saul.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 17:10

Alternate translation: “I challenge the army of Israel”

1 Samuel 17:11

This refers to the Israelite soldiers who were there.

The words “discouraged” and “greatly afraid” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of their fear. (See: Doublet)

1 Samuel 17:12

“He” refers to Jesse.

The two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis. (See: Parallelism)

1 Samuel 17:13

“Abinadab the second born, and Shammah the third born.” This phrase shows birth order.

1 Samuel 17:14

The implied information is that these are the sons of Jesse. Alternate translation: “The three oldest sons of Jesse” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 17:16

“For 40 days” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “to show that he was ready to fight”

1 Samuel 17:17

An ephah is a unit of measurement equal to about 22 liters. (See: Biblical Volume)

1 Samuel 17:18

“the captain of your brothers’ thousand.” This could mean: (1) the word “thousand” represents the exact amount of soldiers that this captain led. Alternate translation: “the captain of your brothers’ unit of 1,000 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “thousand” does not represent exact number, but is the name of a large military division. Alternate translation: “the captain of your brothers’ military division” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “Check and find out how your brothers are doing”

1 Samuel 17:19

Alternate translation: “all the soldiers of Israel”

This is the name of a place. See how you translated it in 1 Samuel 17:2. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 17:23

Alternate translation: “whose name was Goliath”

Alternate translation: “stepped forward from the Philistines’ battle line”

1 Samuel 17:25

The soldiers were saying this to draw one another’s attention to the man Goliath. Alternate translation: “Look at this man who has come up!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This refers to the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “Our king” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This refers to the king’s daughter.

The words “him” and “his” refer to the man who kills Goliath.

The word “house” refers to the household or family. Alternate translation: “will no longer require his family to pay taxes” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 17:26

This can be expressed with the verb “disgrace.” Alternate translation: “stops Israel from being disgraced” or “stops him from disgracing Israel” (See: Abstract Nouns)

David said this to show his anger that this Philistine was defying God’s army. Alternate translation: “This uncircumcised Philistine certainly has no power that he should defy the armies of the living God!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This phrase is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God.

1 Samuel 17:28

Here anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that could be kindled. Alternate translation: “Eliab became angry with David” (See: Metaphor)

Eliab uses this question to show that he is angry that David came down. He was probably implying that David did not have a good reason for coming. Alternate translation: “You had no good reason to come here” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Eliab uses this question to insult David by making his work seem unimportant and by accusing him of not taking care of his father’s sheep. Alternate translation: “You simply had the responsibility of watching over a few sheep in the wilderness. You could not even carry out that simple responsibility!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis. (See: Parallelism)

1 Samuel 17:29

David used these questions to express his frustration and to justify himself. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong. I was only asking a question!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 17:30

“He” refers to David and the word “him” refers to Eliab.

1 Samuel 17:31

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “When the soldiers heard what David said” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 17:32

The heart failing represents being terrified and losing confidence. Alternate translation: “Do not let anyone be terrified” or “Do not let anyone lose their confidence” (See: Metonymy)

David spoke of himself as “your servant” to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “I, your servant, will go” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

1 Samuel 17:34

David spoke of himself as “your servant” to show respect to Saul. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 17:32. Alternate translation: “I, your servant, used to keep my father’s sheep” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Alternate translation: “used to take care of his father’s sheep”

A bear is a large animal with thick fur and long claws and that walks on four legs but can stand on two legs as a person does.

1 Samuel 17:35

Here “him” refers to the lion or bear. Some languages would use the word “it” instead of “him.”

Here “it” refers to the lamb.

Here “rose up against” is an idiom that refers to attacking. Alternate translation: “it attacked me” (See: Idiom)

The “beard” refers to the lion’s mane or the hair on the bear’s face.

1 Samuel 17:36

David continues speaking to King Saul.

This phrase is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 17:26.

David is saying that he will be able to kill the Philistine just as he was able to kill the lion and bear.

1 Samuel 17:37

Bears and lions use their paws when they attack, so the word “paw” represents the attack. Alternate translation: “from the attack of the lion and from the attack of the bear” or “from the lion and the bear” (See: Metonymy)

The Philistine’s hand represents his power in fighting. Alternate translation: “the power of this Philistine” or “the Philistine” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 17:38

a flexible piece of body armor covered with protective scales or small plates

1 Samuel 17:39

Alternate translation: “Saul’s sword on the armor”

1 Samuel 17:40

Here “his” refers to David.

A sling is a weapon for throwing stones.

1 Samuel 17:41

Alternate translation: “and his shield bearer walked in front of him”

1 Samuel 17:42

Alternate translation: “he hated him”

Alternate translation: “and healthy looking”

1 Samuel 17:43

Here a dog represents a small animal that a person can easily kill. The word “sticks” refers to David’s staff and shows Goliath’s opinion that it is not a good weapon. Goliath uses this question to accuse David of insulting him. Alternate translation: “You insult me by coming at me with mere sticks as if I were just a dog!” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 17:44

Goliath speaks of killing David and leaving his body on the ground for the animals to eat it as if he were to give David’s body to the animals. Alternate translation: “I will kill you, and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field will eat your body” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “birds of the sky” or “birds”

Alternate translation: “wild animals”

1 Samuel 17:45

Here “name” represents God’s power or authority. Alternate translation: “with the power of Yahweh” or “with the authority of Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “whom you have provoked” or “whom you have insulted”

1 Samuel 17:46

David continues speaking to Goliath.

David speaks of leading the Israelites in killing the Philistines and leaving their bodies on the ground for the animals to eat them as if he were to give their bodies to the animals. Alternate translation: “We Israelites will kill the Philistine army, and the birds of the heavens and the wild beasts of the earth will eat them” (See: Metaphor)

The word “earth” refers to the people on earth. Alternate translation: “all the people of the earth may know” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 17:47

Swords and spears are examples of battle weapons. They represent human ways of fighting. Alternate translation: “The victory that Yahweh gives does not depend on sword and spear” or “when Yahweh gives us victory, he does not depend on how we fight” (See: Metonymy)

Winning the battle is spoken of as owning the battle. Alternate translation: “Yahweh always wins the battle” or “the victory belongs to Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)

Giving the Philistines into Israel’s hand represents helping Israel to defeat the Philistines in battle. Alternate translation: “he will help us defeat you” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 17:50

Verse 50 is a summary of David’s amazing victory over Goliath. The details about how he hit and killed Goliath are in 1 Samuel 17:49 and 17:51. Some languages do not use summary statements like this. In those situations, translators may restructure the verses as they are in the UST.

1 Samuel 17:51

David did this after Goliath fell to the ground in 1 Samuel 17:49.

“took the Philistine’s sword.” Here the word “his” refers to Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:52

It can be stated clearly that the Israelites were killing the Philistines as they chased them. Alternate translation: “And they killed the Philistines as they chased them, and the bodies of the dead Philistines were on the ground along the way to Shaaraim” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 17:53

Alternate translation: “the Israelites plundered the Philistines’ camp”

1 Samuel 17:54

Alternate translation: “he put Goliath’s armor in his own tent”

1 Samuel 17:55

The conversation in 17:55-56 happened before David killed Goliath. Alternate translation: “When Saul had seen David” or “Earlier when Saul saw David” (See: Order of Events)

Alternate translation: “go to fight against the Philistine”

Alternate translation: “who is this youth’s father”

This was a way of swearing that what he was about to say was true.

1 Samuel 17:56

Alternate translation: “who the boy’s father is”

1 Samuel 17:57

Here “his” refers to David.

1 Samuel 17:58

Alternate translation: “Who is your father”

Alternate translation: “My father is your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite”

David referred to his father as “your servant” to show that his father was faithful to King Saul.

1 Samuel 18

1 Samuel 18 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This is the first chapter of a section explaining why Saul wants to kill David.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 18:7.

Special concepts in this chapter

Saul is jealous of David’s popularity

Saul’s son, Jonathan, loves David. David is successful in battling the Philistines, and Saul is happy until the women give David more attention than they give him. He fears that David will replace him as king. This is potentially confusing because the author has already established that David will be the next king. It is probably that Saul feared David would kill him in order to be the next king sooner, or that he did not really believe David would be the next king. (See: love, beloved)

Jonathan’s love of David

Some scholars believe Jonathan loved David as a man loves his wife. There is no reason to translate this as if Jonathan were a homosexual. Instead, treat this as a brotherly type of love.

1 Samuel 18:1

Very close friendship is spoken of as if it were binding together the souls of two people. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Jonathan felt a strong affection towards David” or “Jonathan committed himself to David” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Here “loved” refers to the love between friends, not romantic love. The word “soul” represents the person or the person’s life. Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself” or “Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 18:3

Here “loved” refers to the love between friends, not romantic love. The word “soul” represents the person or the person’s life. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 18:1. Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself” or “Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 18:5

Alternate translation: “he prospered”

The phrases “in the eyes of” and “in the sight of” mean the same thing. The opinion of the people is spoken of as something that they view as either good or bad. Alternate translation: “This was pleasing in the opinions of all the people and of Saul’s servants” or “This pleased all the people and Saul’s servants” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 18:6

This is generalization that emphasizes the great number of women who came from many cities. Alternate translation: “from many of the cities throughout Israel” (See: Hyperbole)

Alternate translation: “joyfully playing tambourines and other musical instruments”

A “tambourine” is a small handheld drum.

1 Samuel 18:7

The verb may be supplied from the previous line. Alternate translation: “David has killed his ten thousands” (See: Ellipsis)

1 Samuel 18:8

Alternate translation: “They have credited”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The only thing left for him to have is the kingship.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 18:10

Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either “a spirit that causes trouble” or “an evil spirit.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 16:15.

The phrase “rushed upon” means the harmful spirit influenced Saul. In this case it means it caused Saul to be troubled and act crazy. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 10:6.

Alternate translation: “he acted crazy”

1 Samuel 18:12

Alternate translation: “Yahweh was with David”

1 Samuel 18:13

Alternate translation: “So Saul removed David from his presence”

This could mean: (1) the word “thousand” represents the exact amount of soldiers that he would lead. Alternate translation: “a commander of 1,000 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “thousand” does not represent exact number, but is the name of a large military division. Alternate translation: “a commander of a large military division” See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 17:18. (See: Numbers)

Here “the people” refers to the soldiers under David’s command. The phrases “went out” and “came in” are idioms that refer to leading the people into battle and leading them home from battle. Alternate translation: “David led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle” (See: Idiom and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 18:15

Here “stood in awe” is an idiom that means to fear. Alternate translation: “he feared David” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 18:16

Here “Israel and Judah” represent the people of all of the tribes. Alternate translation: “all the people in Israel and Judah loved David” (See: Metonymy)

The phrases “went out” and “came in” are idioms that refer to leading the people into battle and leading them home from battle. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 18:13. Alternate translation: “led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 18:17

Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one’s hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. Alternate translation: “I will not be the one to kill him; I will let the Philistines kill him” (See: Metaphor and Euphemism)

1 Samuel 18:18

David uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he is not worthy of being Saul’s son-in-law. Alternate translation: “I am nobody and neither my relatives nor my father’s family are important enough in Israel … to the king.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “husband of the king’s daughter”

1 Samuel 18:19

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when Saul should have given his daughter Merab to David” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Saul gave her to Adriel” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 18:20

Here “loved” means she had romantic feelings for David.

Here “they” refers to people who found out about Michal’s feelings, not to David and Michal.

1 Samuel 18:21

Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one’s hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 18:17. Alternate translation: “so that the Philistines may kill him” (See: Metaphor and Euphemism)

Alternate translation: “You will be the husband of my daughter”

1 Samuel 18:22

Alternate translation: “all of his servants admire you”

Alternate translation: “For these reasons you should”

1 Samuel 18:23

David asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that he is not worthy to be the king’s son-in-law. Alternate translation: “It is a great matter to be the king’s son-in-law, and I am too poor and unimportant for that.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 18:25

The verb for the second phrase may be supplied from the first. Alternate translation: “The king does not desire any price for the bride; he desires only that you bring to him 100 foreskins” (See: Ellipsis and Numbers)

The foreskin is a fold of skin on a man’s private part that is removed during circumcision.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to get revenge on the king’s enemies” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “fall” means to die. The phrase “by the hand” is an idiom that tells us the means by which something will happen, in this case, David will be killed by the Philistines. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to have the Philistines kill David” (See: Euphemism and Idiom and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 18:27

This can be rendered numerically. Alternate translation: “200 Philistines” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “David and his men gave all of them to the king”

1 Samuel 18:28

Here the words “saw” and “knew” share similar meanings and emphasize that Saul knew with certainty. Alternate translation: “Saul recognized” (See: Doublet)

Here “loved” means she had romantic feelings for David.

1 Samuel 18:30

Here “name” is a metonym for David. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so that people greatly respected David” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 19

1 Samuel 19 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

God protects David

Jonathan persuades Saul not to kill David, but Saul again becomes jealous and orders his servants to bring David to him to be killed. God uses Michal to save David. David flees to Samuel and they begin prophesying. When Saul sends servants to capture David, they begin prophesying. This causes Saul to go himself and he begins to prophesy. (See: jealous, jealousy and save, saved, safe, salvation and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

1 Samuel 19:1

Here “his” refers to Saul.

Jonathan greatly enjoyed being with David.

1 Samuel 19:4

Jonathan speaks as if Saul is another person to show Saul that Jonathan respects Saul. Alternate translation: “Do not sin against your servant” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 19:5

Here “life in his hand” is an idiom that refers to risking his life. Alternate translation: “he risked his life” (See: Idiom)

Jonathan asks this question to rebuke Saul. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not sin against innocent blood and kill David without cause.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “blood” is a metonym for the life of an innocent person. Alternate translation: “commit the sin of murder” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 19:6

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will not put him to death” or “I will not kill him” or “I will certainly keep him alive” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 19:7

David was in Saul’s presence.

1 Samuel 19:9

Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either “a spirit that causes trouble” or “an evil spirit.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 16:14.

1 Samuel 19:10

throw his spear so it would go through David and into the wall

1 Samuel 19:11

Alternate translation: “Saul might kill David”

Michal told David

Here “save your life” is an idiom that refers to escape. Alternate translation: “If you do not escape” (See: Idiom)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone will kill you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 19:12

Michal helps David escape King Saul. She uses a household idol to make David’s bed look like he is sleeping in it.

1 Samuel 19:13

This could mean: (1) the head of the idol was lying on the goat’s hair pillow and Michal dressed the idol in David’s clothes or (2) Michal used David’s clothes as a blanket to completely cover the idol and made the “pillow” of goat’s hair look like David’s hair sticking out from under the blanket of clothes.

1 Samuel 19:14

Saul acts out his desire to kill David.

Alternate translation: “take David back to Saul”

Here “she” refers to Michal.

1 Samuel 19:15

The reason why the men thought David was in bed can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “If he really is too sick to come to me, bring me the bed with him in it” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 19:16

See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 19:13.

The word “behold” here shows that the messengers were surprised by what they saw.

1 Samuel 19:17

This could mean: (1) Saul really wants to know why Michal did what she did or (2) Saul uses this question to rebuke Michal. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not have deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Although David did not actually say this, Michal tells Saul that David threatened her with this question. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will kill you if you do not help me to escape.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 19:18

David flees to Samuel.

This word is used here to show that the writer has started to tell a new part of the story.

1 Samuel 19:19

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

1 Samuel 19:20

Here “head” refers to a position of authority. Alternate translation: “acting as their leader” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 19:21

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “When someone told Saul this” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 19:22

These are place names. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 19:24

This became a proverb among the Israelites. Apparently people said this to express surprise when a person unexpectedly did something that he had not done before. The implied meaning of the question can be stated explicitly. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 10:12. Alternate translation: “That is the reason that when people see someone doing something that is very unexpected, they say, ‘Is Saul also a prophet?’” (See: Proverbs and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “they” refers to people in general. The question became a proverb among the people.

1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 20 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Jonathan warns David

David tells Jonathan that Saul is still trying to kill him. Jonathan promises to find out if this is true. When David misses dinner two consecutive days, Saul asks about him. Jonathan says that David went home for an annual sacrifice. Saul gets angry at Jonathan, telling him he will never be king unless they kill David. Saul throws his spear at Jonathan. Jonathan warns David to run away, but first they both promise to always be friends. It was usually a king’s son who became king after his death in the ancient Near East. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

David uses a powerful metaphor and an oath to impress Jonathan with the danger he is in: “But as truly as Yahweh lives, and as you live, there is but a step between me and death.” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 20:1

These three questions mean basically the same thing. David uses them to emphasize that he has done nothing wrong to Saul. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong. I have not committed any iniquity. I have not sinned against your father. He has no reason to take my life.” (See: Parallelism and Rhetorical Question)

Here “take my life” is an idiom for “kill me.” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 20:2

Here “far from it” is an idiom that refers to that it is not true. Alternate translation: “This is certainly not true” (See: Idiom)

The words “great or small” include everything in between. Alternate translation: “nothing at all” (See: Merism)

Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that Saul would have told him if he planned to kill David. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “My father has no reason to hide this thing from me!” or “If this thing were true, my father would certainly let me know!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “It is not true”

1 Samuel 20:3

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “I have pleased you” or “you consider me favorably” (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this will grieve him” or “he will be very sad” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “step between me and death” is an idiom that refers to being very close to death. Alternate translation: “I am very close to death” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 20:4

David proposes a test against King Saul to Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20:5

On the first of every month the people would celebrate and offer sacrifices to God.

Alternate translation: “until the evening of the day after tomorrow”

1 Samuel 20:6

David’s continues to describe the test he proposes.

Alternate translation: “asked me if I would allow him to leave”

1 Samuel 20:7

The word “he” refers to Saul.

David speaks of himself as if he were another person to show that he respects Jonathan. Alternate translation: “I, your servant, will have peace” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 20:8

David continues speaking to Jonathan.

David speak of himself in the third person as a form of humility. Alternate translation: “with me, your servant … have brought me, your servant” or “with me … have brought me” (See: Pronouns)

What it was that the two men agreed on can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Yahweh heard you when you made a solemn agreement with me that you and I will always be good friends” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “then there would be no reason for you to bring me to your father” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 20:9

This is an idiom that means it will never happen to you. Alternate translation: “This will never happen to you!” (See: Idiom)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I would certainly tell you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 20:12

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Alternate translation: “if my father wants to do good things for you”

Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that he will tell David if Saul intends to harm him. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “then I will certainly send to you and make it known to you” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 20:13

This is an idiom. Jonathan uses this oath for emphasis and speaks of himself as if he were another person. Alternate translation: “may Yahweh do to me whatever harm my father intends to do to you, and even more than that” (See: Idiom and Pronouns)

1 Samuel 20:14

Jonathan asks David not to completely kill all his offspring so that a remnant will remain.

Jonathan asks this question to confirm that David will do this. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “please show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The abstract noun faithfulness can be stated as faithful. Here, of Yahweh could mean: (1) “be faithful to me as Yahweh is faithful” or (2) “be faithful to me as Yahweh requires” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Samuel 20:16

The word “house” is a metonym for the people who live in the house. Alternate translation: “David’s family” (See: Metonymy)

The hand is a synecdoche for the person. This could mean: (1) “May Yahweh use David’s enemies to punish David if David breaks this promise” or (2) “May Yahweh destroy the enemies of David.” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 20:17

Here “his own soul” refers to himself. Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 20:18

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My father will miss you” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 20:19

Here “business was in hand” is an idiom that refers to when everything happened. Alternate translation: “when everything happened” (See: Idiom)

“Ezel” was the name of the stone. Alternate translation: “the stone that people call Ezel” (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 20:20

Jonathan continues to speak to David.

Here the word “it” refers to the stone by which David was to hide.

1 Samuel 20:21

These refer to the same person.

Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Alternate translation: “then you, David, come”

1 Samuel 20:22

Jonathan continues to speak to David.

1 Samuel 20:23

This could mean: (1) “we know that Yahweh” or (2) “pay attention because this is important: Yahweh.”

This could mean: (1) “Yahweh is a witness between you and me” or “Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other” or (2) “May Yahweh be a witness between you and me” or “May Yahweh watch how we treat each other”

1 Samuel 20:25

Some ancient copies have “Jonathan sat across from him.” (See: Original Manuscripts)

1 Samuel 20:26

According to the law of Moses, a person who is ceremonially unclean is not to participate in the feast until the priest declares that he is clean. Saul repeats this phrase as if he is trying to convince himself.

1 Samuel 20:28

Alternate translation: “asked me to allow him to go”

1 Samuel 20:29

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 20:3. Alternate translation: “I have pleased you” or “you consider me favorably” (See: Metaphor)

Jonathan speaks of Saul as if he is another person to show that he respects Saul. Alternate translation: “your table” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 20:30

Here “anger burned” is a metonym that refers to becoming very angry. Alternate translation: “Saul became very angry with Jonathan” (See: Metonymy)

This is an idiom. Saul uses this phrase as a harsh rebuke to Jonathan and his concern for David. Alternate translation: “You stupid son of a prostitute” or “You stupid traitor” (See: Idiom)

Saul uses this question to emphasize that he knows that Jonathan and David are friends. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse … mother’s nakedness.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “mother’s nakedness” is an idiom that refers to the mother who gave birth to you. Alternate translation: “to the shame of your mother who gave birth to you” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 20:31

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will not become king and will not establish your kingdom” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 20:32

Jonathan is trying to get Saul to think carefully about what he is doing. This can be translated as a statement, and the words “should he be put to death” can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You have no good reason to put him to death. He has done nothing wrong.” or “You have no good reason to kill him. He has done nothing wrong.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 20:34

This “second” is an ordinal number which refers to two. Alternate translation: “the second day of the new moon festival” (See: Ordinal Numbers)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he was grieving over David” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “him” refers to David.

1 Samuel 20:35

Here “him” refers to Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20:36

Alternate translation: “Jonathan shot an arrow beyond the young man”

1 Samuel 20:37

Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that the arrow is farther ahead of the young man. The uses of litotes also emphasizes this. The rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that the arrow is beyond you.” or “The arrow is far beyond you.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Litotes)

1 Samuel 20:38

Alternate translation: “called out to the young man, who was running away from him, ‘Hurry”

1 Samuel 20:41

It seems that David had hidden behind a pile of earth or stones.

David bowed before Jonathan, who was still the King’s son, worthy of such respect. Also, this was the last time David met with Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20:42

This could mean: (1) “Yahweh is a witness between you and me” or “Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other” or (2) “May Yahweh be a witness between you and me” or “May Yahweh watch how we treat each other.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 20:23.

1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 21:11.

Special concepts in this chapter

David and the chief priest

David visits the chief priest and lies to him about being on a special mission for the king. He asks for food, weapons, and prayer. The chief priest gives him some sacred bread and Goliath’s sword and prays for him.

David and the king of Gath

David flees to Gath. The advisers to the king tell him that David is almost the king of Israel. David becomes afraid of the king and pretends to be insane.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

The king of Gath’s advisers use two rhetorical questions to warn him about how dangerous David could be: “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 21:1

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

shaking in fear

1 Samuel 21:2

Alternate translation: “to do work for him”

Alternate translation: “I have told the young men to go to another place, and I will meet them there later”

1 Samuel 21:3

David is starting a new part of the conversation.

Here “on hand” is a metonym meaning “available.” Alternate translation: “What food do you have that you can give me?” (See: Metonymy)

This is a polite request.

1 Samuel 21:4

bread that the priests have not used in worship

This can be translated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “Your men may eat it if they have not slept with women recently” (See: Ellipsis)

1 Samuel 21:5

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “we have kept ourselves from women” (See: Active or Passive)

“3 days” (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “when I begin a journey”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The men have set what belongs to them apart” (See: Active or Passive)

This is a statement, not a question. It can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “It is especially true today that they will set apart what they have” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 21:6

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the bread that the priests had set apart” (See: Active or Passive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “which the priests had removed from before Yahweh so that they could put” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 21:7

This could mean: (1) Doeg had some religious work regarding Yahweh to do there. Alternate translation: “for some work before Yahweh” or (2) Yahweh detained Doeg there. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh had detained him there” (See: Active or Passive)

You may need to say clearly that Doeg saw what David did. Alternate translation: “Doeg … herdsmen, and he saw what Ahimelech did” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is the name of a man from the land of Edom. (See: How to Translate Names)

the keepers and protectors of a herd, especially of cattle or sheep

1 Samuel 21:8

Here “on hand” is a metonym meaning “available.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:3. Alternate translation: “Do you have a spear or sword that you can give me?” (See: Metonymy)

a general name for such things as swords, knives, bows and arrows, and spears

1 Samuel 21:9

This is the name of a place in Israel. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 21:11

They were probably exaggerating when they said that David was king of the land. They used this question to imply that David was a powerful enemy and Achish should not let him stay there. Alternate translation: “You know that this is David, who is as dangerous as the king of the land” (See: Hyperbole and Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that when the people of the land were dancing, they sang to each other about him, ‘Saul … thousands.’” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 21:12

Here “took … to heart” is a metonym to think seriously about what was said. Alternate translation: “David thought seriously about what the servants said” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 21:13

Here “hands” are a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “in their presence” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 21:14

This could mean: (1) Achish demands that his servants explain why they have brought David to him or (2) Achish is scolding them with a rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “You should have known not to bring him to me.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 21:15

This rhetorical question is a rebuke. Alternate translation: “There are enough madmen here who waste my time. You should not have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not allow this fellow to enter my house.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 22

1 Samuel 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

There are two stories in this chapter: David gathering a group of followers and Saul having all the priests and their families killed. (See: priest, priesthood)

Special concepts in this chapter

David assembles a force of unhappy people

David hides in the wilderness, and people in trouble come to him. Soon he has a force of 500 men. The prophet then tells him to leave the wilderness. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Saul and the chief priest’s family

Doeg tells Saul that Ahimelech the priest gave David food and a sword and prayed for him. Saul accuses the priests of encouraging David to rebel. This is a serious accusation because the priests are God’s representatives and are rebelling against God’s king if the accusation is true. Saul has the priests and all their families killed except those who escape to David. (See: high priest, chief priests)

1 Samuel 22:1

a hollow space under the ground, generally opening into the side of a hill, large enough for people to enter

This is the name of a town near the city of Gath. (See: How to Translate Names)

heard that David had gone to hide in the cave

1 Samuel 22:2

This is a generalization. Alternate translation: “Many people who were distressed … many people who were unhappy” (See: Hyperbole)

military officer who leads soldiers

“400” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 22:3

Alternate translation: “Then David went from the cave at Adullam”

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

David wanted his parents to live with the king of Moab so that King Saul would not be able to harm them. Translators can express his basic meaning by using the ideas of “come to stay with you,” “stay with you,” or “live here with you,” as in the UST.

1 Samuel 22:5

Alternate translation: “go to your home land of Judah”

This is the name of a city. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 22:6

Saul was most interested in David, so the writer mentions the other men separately. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone had discovered where David and all the men who were with him were hiding” (See: Active or Passive)

This is a type of tree. Alternate translation: “a large shade tree” (See: Translate Unknowns)

Ramah is the name of a place in Gibeah. The name means “high place.” This could mean: (1) it refers here to the place called Ramah, or (2) it refers to any high place. Alternate translation: “on a hill”

1 Samuel 22:7

Saul uses a question to emphasize that David, who is from the tribe of Judah, does not desire to do this for the people of the tribe of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “The son of Jesse will not give you fields or vineyards.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The time when he will give can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “When the son of Jesse becomes king, will he give” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “David”

Saul uses a question to emphasize that David, who is from the tribe of Judah, does not desire to do this for the people of the tribe of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “He will not make you captains of thousands and captains of hundreds” (See: Rhetorical Question)

You may need to make explicit when he will make them captains. Alternate translation: “When he becomes king, will he make you all captains” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This could mean: (1) these numbers represent the exact amount of soldiers that these captains led. Alternate translation: “captains of 1,000 soldiers and captains of 100 soldiers” or (2) the words translated as “thousands” and “hundreds” do not represent exact numbers, but are the names of larger and smaller military divisions. Alternate translation: “captains of large military divisions and captains of smaller military divisions” See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 17:18. (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 22:8

This continues what Saul said to his servants.

1 Samuel 22:9

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:7. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is a place name and the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 22:10

Ahitub prayed to Yahweh that Yahweh might help David, and Ahitub gave David

1 Samuel 22:13

Alternate translation: “by giving”

Alternate translation: “rebel” or “fight”

1 Samuel 22:14

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “None of your servants is as faithful as David … house.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

a person or group of people who protect someone

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom your family honors” (See: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 22:15

Ahimelech asks himself this question before Saul can ask it, then immediately answers it. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “This is not the first time I have prayed to God to help David.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This idiom means “Absolutely not!” (See: Idiom)

Ahimelech speaks of himself in the third person as the “servant.” Ahimelech also refers to Saul in the third person as “the king.” Ahimelech speaks this way to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “Please, King Saul, do not consider me, your servant, or anyone in the house of my father to be guilty. For I know nothing” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

to consider someone guilty

Here “house” represents “family.” Alternate translation: “to all my father’s family” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 22:16

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “your father’s family” or “your father’s descendants” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 22:17

Alternate translation: “the soldiers standing nearby to protect him”

Here “Turn” means to turn around or turn away from the king. Alternate translation: “Go and kill” or “Kill” (See: Idiom)

The word “hand” is a metonym for the work done with the hand. Alternate translation: “they also help David” (See: Synecdoche)

The word “hand” is a metonym for the work done with the hand. Alternate translation: “did not do anything to kill” or “refused to kill” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 22:18

Here “Turn” means to turn around or turn away from the king. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 22:17. Alternate translation: “Go and kill the priests … went and attacked” or “Kill the priest … attacked the priests” (See: Idiom)

This could mean: (1) Doeg killed all the priests himself or (2) the word “Doeg” is a synecdoche for Doeg and the men who went with him. Alternate translation: “Doeg the Edomite and his men turned and attacked … they killed” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Synecdoche)

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:7. (See: How to Translate Names)

“85 men” or “85 priests” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 22:19

This could mean: (1) Doeg killed all the priests himself or (2) the word “Doeg” is a synecdoche for Doeg and the men who went with him. Alternate translation: “They also put to the sword … they put to the sword” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Synecdoche)

Alternate translation: “killed with the sword”

Nob is the name of a city. Here the name “Nob” represents the people of that city. Alternate translation: “the people in the city of Nob” or “the people of Nob” (See: How to Translate Names and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 22:20

This is a man’s name. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Saul chases David

Saul wants to kill David, but David trusts in God who keeps rescuing him. David rescues the town of Keilah from the Philistines who are stealing their harvest. Saul goes to Keilah to capture David, but David flees to the wilderness near Ziph. When David goes deeper into the wilderness, Saul follows but he has to leave to fight the Philistines who have invaded the land. Saul’s pursuit of David shows that Saul cares more about killing his enemies than pleasing God. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Synecdoche

Jonathan strengthens David with a synecdoche: “For the hand of Saul my father will not find you.” This helps to strengthen David’s faith. (See: Synecdoche and faith)

1 Samuel 23:1

“Keilah” is the name of a town. Here “Keilah” represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “fighting against the people of Keilah” (See: How to Translate Names and Metonymy)

separating the grain or seeds, generally from a cereal plant or wheat by some mechanical means

1 Samuel 23:3

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We will be even more fearful if we go to Keilah to fight the armies of the Philistines.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 23:5

The writer pays the most attention to David, so these words are all singular, though David’s men helped him do all these things. (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 23:6

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 23:7

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “They told Saul” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 23:8

officially called. The reader should understand that Saul probably told his officials to gather the soldiers. He did not call with a loud voice to get them to come.

Alternate translation: “all his soldiers”

1 Samuel 23:10

Alternate translation: “David asked” or “David prayed”

David speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I have indeed heard” (See: Pronouns)

make the city so no one could live in it and kill all the people who live there

1 Samuel 23:11

David speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “as I have heard … tell me” (See: Pronouns)

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “give me over to Saul” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 23:12

or “David asked” or “David prayed”

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “give me and my men over to Saul” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 23:13

“600” (See: Numbers)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “They told Saul” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “had run away from”

1 Samuel 23:14

This is the name of a deserted area near the city of Ziph. (See: How to Translate Names)

The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “did not allow Saul to have power over David” or “did not allow Saul to do as he desired with David” or “did not allow Saul to capture David” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 23:15

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “try to kill him” (See: Idiom)

This is the name of city near Ziph. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 23:16

This is an idiom. AT “encouraged him to trust in God” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 23:17

Here “hand” is a metonym for Saul and his power. Alternate translation: “For Saul my father will not find you” or “For Saul my father will never be able to have power over you” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 23:19

This is the name of the people group from Ziph. (See: How to Translate Names)

This rhetorical question can be translated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “David is hiding among us in … Jeshimon!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This is the name of a hill in the wilderness of Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 23:20

The word “hand” is a metonym for power. The Ziphites speak to Saul as if he were another man to show him that they respect him. Alternate translation: “give David to you so you can do whatever you desire with him” (See: Pronouns and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 23:21

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I hope that Yahweh blesses you” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word compassion, you could express the same idea with an adjective such as “kind.” Saul says this because they had told him about David and they were willing to help Saul capture David. Alternate translation: “you have been kind to me” or “you have kindly told this to me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

1 Samuel 23:22

These two words mean almost the same thing and can be translated as one phrase. Alternate translation: “Know for sure” (See: Doublet)

Alternate translation: “who saw him”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “People tell me” or “I have heard” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 23:23

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “even if I have to arrest every man in Judah” or “among all the clans of Judah” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 23:24

They stopped what they had been doing. The reader should not believe that they were sitting or lying.

Alternate translation: “Then the Ziphites”

This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 23:14.

This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 23:19. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of the deserted area around the city of Maon in southern Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 23:25

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told David that they were coming” or “David learned that they were coming” (See: Active or Passive)

a hill covered with many rocks or boulders

1 Samuel 23:27

The words “hurry” and “come” can be combined into one idea. Alternate translation: “Come quickly” (See: Hendiadys)

1 Samuel 23:28

Alternate translation: “chasing David, trying to catch him”

a memorial or marker of David’s escape from Saul

1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Even though Saul tries again and again to kill David, David does not avenge himself on Saul because God had chosen Saul as king. This is meant to contrast with Saul’s treatment of David, the future king. Saul represents the king the people wanted, a selfish man. David is the king God wanted, a godly man. (See: avenge, avenger, revenge, vengeance and chosen, choose, chosen people, Chosen One, elect and godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness)

1 Samuel 24:1

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone told him” (See: Active or Passive)

Engedi is a place in Israel west of the Dead Sea where there is water with dry land all around it.

1 Samuel 24:2

3,000 (See: Numbers)

men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities

1 Samuel 24:3

Alternate translation: “sheep corrals” or “sheep enclosures”

This is a euphemism for “relieve himself” or “defecate” or “empty his intestines.” (See: Euphemism)

generally a natural hole under the ground, often with an opening in the side of a hill or cliff

1 Samuel 24:4

The word “arose” is an idiom for taking action. Alternate translation: “David took action; he quietly crept” (See: Idiom)

approached slowly, carefully or quietly

1 Samuel 24:5

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “David was sad because he had done something wrong” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 24:6

Alternate translation: “the one whom Yahweh has chosen to lead his people” or “the one Yahweh has made king”

The hand is a metonym for the ability to cause harm. Alternate translation: “to harm him in any way” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:9

This is a rhetorical question. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not listen to the men who say, ‘See, David is seeking to harm you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 24:10

Here “your eyes” represent King Saul. Alternate translation: “you have seen with your own eyes” (See: Synecdoche)

The word “hand” is a metonym for control. Alternate translation: “put you where I could kill you or allow you to live” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:11

Saul was not David’s real father. David calls him “father” to show that he respects Saul.

David speaks as if evil and treason were physical objects he could hold in his hand. Here “hand” represents a person acting or doing something. Alternate translation: “I have done no evil deed against you, nor have I rebelled against you” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:12

The hand is a metonym for the ability to cause harm. See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 24:6. Alternate translation: “I will not harm you in any way” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:13

This nominal adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “people who lived long ago” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

1 Samuel 24:14

These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. When David asks the questions, he knows that he will answer the questions himself. Alternate translation: “Let me tell you who the king of Israel has come out after. Let me tell you who it is that you are pursuing.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The words “dead dog” are a metaphor for a powerless person. This sentence can be made complete. Alternate translation: “You are pursuing a person who is as powerless as a dead dog” (See: Metaphor and Ellipsis)

The word “flea” is a metaphor for a person whom others do not consider important. Alternate translation: “You are pursuing a person who is as unimportant as a flea” (See: Metaphor and Ellipsis)

1 Samuel 24:15

This could mean: (1) “do what is right, and plead my cause” or (2) “see that my cause is right and fight for me.”

The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “so that you have no power over me” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:16

Saul speaks as if David were his son to show David that he loves him. (See: Metaphor)

The writer writes as if a voice were something a person could lift up with his hands. Alternate translation: “wept loudly” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 24:18

Saul acknowledges that David did show that he supported King Saul and was loyal to him by not killing him.

Saul acknowledges that David chose to show mercy and demonstrated his loyalty to King Saul as Yahweh’s anointed.

1 Samuel 24:19

A rhetorical question with the answer included in the question. Alternate translation: “For if a man finds his enemy, he will not let him go safely.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Where Saul had believed David was his enemy, he learns that even though David will be king, David will not take over the throne from Saul by force, but will wait for Yahweh’s appointed time.

1 Samuel 24:20

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) David will cause the kingdom of Israel to prosper through his power as king. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of Israel will prosper as you rule the Israelite people” or (2) Yahweh will cause David to have complete control over the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “you will have complete rule over the kingdom of Israel” (See: Active or Passive)

The word “hand” is a metonym that represents power or control. (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:21

“you will not kill my sons and their families.” It was common for a new king who was not from the previous family line to kill off all the children of the former king to prevent any of them from challenging him for the throne.

It is important for each family in Israel to have descendants from generation to generation carrying on the family name and land inheritance. Alternate translation: “you will not destroy my family and descendants” or “you will allow my family to live” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 24:22

Alternate translation: “David and his army”

1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 25 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Revenge

When David decides to kill all of the men in Nabal’s household, Abigail convinces David not to avenge himself but to leave revenge to God. (See: avenge, avenger, revenge, vengeance)

1 Samuel 25:1

This is likely a generalization. A large number of the people of Israel were probably there, but some were probably unable to attend. (See: Hyperbole)

Alternate translation: “met together”

This could mean that they buried Samuel: (1) in his home town of Ramah or (2) on his family’s land in Ramah but not physically in the house or (3) in his house in Ramah.

Alternate translation: “David and his men moved on and they went down”

1 Samuel 25:2

Some translators may need to put the ideas in these verses in a different order. Alternate translation: “There was a very wealthy man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel.”

This is the name of a town. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a town. This is different from Mount Carmel. (See: How to Translate Names)

3,000 (See: Numbers)

1,000 (See: Numbers)

Alternate translation: “shaving the wool off his sheep”

1 Samuel 25:3

This verse give some background information about the man Nabal and his character. Some translators may need to put the ideas in this verse in a different order. Alternate translation: “Now the man was a descendant of the house of Caleb. His name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings.”

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a woman. (See: How to Translate Names)

Here “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “He was a descendant of the family of Caleb” or “He was a descendant of Caleb” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 25:4

Alternate translation: “shaving the wool off his sheep”

1 Samuel 25:5

Alternate translation: “greet him as I would greet him if I were there”

1 Samuel 25:6

“I desire that you may live in prosperity.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word prosperity, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I desire that you possess many good things as long as you live” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “I desire that peace may come to you, your household and your possessions”

1 Samuel 25:7

“your shearers are working” or “your shearers have sheep to shear.” David wants his men to speak so that Nabal understands that his sheep were well because David’s men helped guard them.

David is pointing out how he and his men offered protection to Nabal’s servants and flocks. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “we kept them and all their property from harm” (See: Litotes)

1 Samuel 25:8

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “may you be pleased with my young men” or “may you consider my young men favorably” (See: Metaphor)

David was expressing respect toward Nabal by calling his men Nabal’s servants.

David spoke as if he were Nabal’s son to show that he respected Nabal, who was an older man.

1 Samuel 25:9

Alternate translation: “David’s army”

Alternate translation: “gave Nabal David’s complete message”

1 Samuel 25:10

Nabal used questions to emphasize that he had no reason to help Daved. These two rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “This David son of Jesse you speak of—I do not know him.” or “I do not know who this David is, so I will not do as he says. I do not know who Jesse is, so I do not care what happens to his son.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Alternate translation: “running away from” or “rebelling against”

1 Samuel 25:11

Here “bread” is an idiom for any kind of food. (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “men when I do not know where they have come from” or “men whom I do not know”

1 Samuel 25:12

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that Nabal had said” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 25:13

Alternate translation: “said to his army”

If swords are not known in your language, you can treat “strap on his sword” as a metonym meaning to prepare for war. Alternate translation: “‘Every man, prepare for war.’ And every man prepared for war. David also prepared for war” (See: Metonymy)

400 (See: Numbers)

200 (See: Numbers)

They remained at their base camp to prevent other raiders from stealing their possessions.

1 Samuel 25:14

You may need to make explicit what the young man did before he spoke with Abigail. Alternate translation: “One of Nabal’s servants found out what David and his men were planning to do, so he went to Nabal’s wife Abigail” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 25:15

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Nobody harmed us” or “We were safe” (See: Active or Passive)

“we did not lose anything when we were with them.” David’s men kept wild animals and other people from stealing Nabal’s flocks.

1 Samuel 25:16

David’s men were like a wall around a city that protects the people in the city from their enemies. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 25:17

The speaker is careful not to name the one plotting the evil. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone is plotting to do evil things to our master” (See: Active or Passive)

The speaker speaks of David as if David were another person to show that he respects David. Alternate translation: “you” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 25:18

200 (See: Numbers)

A loaf is like a cake. You may need to make explicit what the loaves consisted of. Alternate translation: “loaves of bread” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Alternate translation: “that someone had already cooked” or “ready for someone to cook”

This is a generic term as none is given. (See: Biblical Volume)

Alternate translation: “grain that someone had cooked”

Alternate translation: “cakes of raisins” or “masses of raisins”

1 Samuel 25:20

Alternate translation: “David and his army”

This could mean: (1) into a low, narrow stream bed or (2) to where the men were hiding.

1 Samuel 25:21

The writer gives background information before he continues with the story. (See: Background Information)

The reader needs to understand that David had said these things before he said, “Every man strap on his sword” in 1 Samuel 25:13.

The word “Now” shows that the writer has stopped writing about Abigail and started writing about David.

This can be stated positively and in active form. Alternate translation: “he still has everything that was his” (See: Litotes and Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 25:22

The reader needs to understand that David had said these things before he said, “Every man strap on his sword” in 1 Samuel 25:13.

The Hebrew text has “May God strike the enemies of David,” and some versions follow this. However, the reading of the ULT follows the main Greek tradition of the Old Testament, as some other modern versions do.

Alternate translation: “all the people who belong to him” or “those in his family”

1 Samuel 25:23

The writer has finished giving background information, so he continues the story. (See: Background Information)

Abigail was being humble and showing that she would obey David because he was a powerful leader.

1 Samuel 25:24

Alternate translation: “hear”

“David … me … my words.” Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David. (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 25:25

Abigail continues to advise David not to take revenge.

Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are other people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “Do not regard … I…your young men” (See: Pronouns)

You may need to make explicit what Abigail would have done. Alternate translation: “But if I … had seen … whom you sent, I would have given them food” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

1 Samuel 25:26

Abigail continues to advise David not to take revenge.

Abigail speaks of David as if he is another person to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “David … you” (See: Pronouns)

murder

The hand is a metonym for what a person does with the hand. Abigail assumes that David should allow Yahweh to take vengeance for him. Alternate translation: “taking vengeance yourself instead of letting Yahweh do it” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Abigail speaks as if Yahweh has already punished Nabal. Alternate translation: “I hope that Yahweh will punish your enemies … as he will punish Nabal” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Predictive Past)

1 Samuel 25:27

Abigail continues to tell David not to be angry.

Abigail uses the passive to show her respect for David. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “please give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men” or “please let my master give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men” (See: Active or Passive)

“these gifts.” The “present” was actually many different things.

Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “I have … you … you” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 25:28

Abigail continues to reason with David.

Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “my trespass … you … you are” (See: Pronouns)

Here “house” is an idiom used for “descendants.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh will ensure that my master always has a descendant who serves as king” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “fighting against Yahweh’s enemies”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one will ever see you do any evil thing” or “you will never do anything evil” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 25:29

Abigail continues to reason with David.

chase and try to catch

Abigail speaks of David’s life as if it were a long and thin object that a person could put with other long and thin objects and then tie together into a bundle with a rope. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh your God will bind the life of my master in the bundle of the living” or “Yahweh your God will keep you alive with those who are alive” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “your life” (See: Pronouns)

Abigail speaks of David’s enemies’ lives as if they were small objects like a stone that could be put in a sling and shot a long distance. Alternate translation: “he will kill your enemies as easily as a man slings a stone a long distance” (See: Metaphor)

a piece of animal skin with long cords at both ends in which a person can put a stone or other small, hard object and throw it a long distance

1 Samuel 25:30

Abigail continues to reason with David.

Abigail speaks of David as if he is another person, to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “you” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 25:31

Abigail finishes reasoning with David.

Abigail is stating that if David chooses not to take revenge he will have a clear conscience when Yahweh makes him king of Israel. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “You will always be glad you acted as you did-that you have not poured out innocent blood, or because my master did not attempt to rescue himself” (See: Litotes)

Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David. “you … yourself … you … me” (See: Pronouns)

That is, when Yahweh actually makes him king after Saul’s reign is over.

1 Samuel 25:32

David accepts Abigail’s counsel and gifts.

This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) “I praise Yahweh … who” or (2) “May all people praise Yahweh … who.” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 25:33

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I thank Yahweh because he has blessed you by making you wise and because” (See: Active or Passive)

murder. The same word appears in 1 Samuel 25:26.

The word “hand” here is a metonym for the action taken by the hand. Alternate translation: “by my own actions” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 25:34

David accepts Abigail’s gifts and agrees to do as she has advised him.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I would not have left to Nabal even one male baby” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 25:35

This is an idiom. Abigail did not unload all gifts from the donkeys herself. Alternate translation: “accepted all the gifts that she had brought” (See: Idiom)

The word “voice” is a metonym for the message the person speaks and a synecdoche for the person who speaks. Alternate translation: “have listened to what you have told me” or “will do as you have advised me” (See: Metonymy and Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 25:36

dawn

Nabal was very happy

1 Samuel 25:37

Yahweh’s judgment on Nabal

Nabal was no longer drunk and so was no longer feeling happy.

Nabal was unable to move because was so afraid that he was no longer physically healthy, probably because he had suffered a stroke.

1 Samuel 25:39

David offers to protect Abigail by marrying her.

This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 25:32. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “I praise Yahweh” or (2) Alternate translation: “May all people praise Yahweh” (See: Active or Passive)

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “has defended me after Nabal insulted me” (See: Idiom)

The abstract nouns “cause” and “insult” can be translated as verbs. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “has shown that what I was doing was right by punishing Nabal for insulting me” or (2) Alternate translation: “has acted, when Nabal insulted me, as if Nabal had insulted him” (See: Active or Passive)

David speaks as if he were another person to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “has kept me back from doing evil deeds” (See: Pronouns)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word action, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “has done to Nabal what Nabal planned to do to me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

The head is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “on him” (See: Synecdoche)

You may make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “sent men to speak to Abigail and tell her that David wanted to take her to be his wife” (See: Ellipsis)

1 Samuel 25:41

Abigail responded by bowing. The reader should understand that she was probably already standing when the men were talking to her in 1 Samuel 25:40, and so the word “arose” is a metonym for deciding to bow down. (See: Metonymy)

Abigail speaks as if she were another person to show that she is humble. She shows that she desires to be David’s new wife by offering to wash the feet of David’s servants. Alternate translation: “See, I will serve you, the servants of my master David, by washing your feet” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 25:42

You may need to make explicit what Abigail did after she arose and before she rode. Alternate translation: “quickly did what she needed to do to prepare for the journey, and then she rode” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Abigail was riding a donkey, but the servant girls were walking.

1 Samuel 25:43

This event took place before David married Abigail. (See: Background Information)

This is the name of a woman. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 25:44

This event took place before David married Abigail. (See: Background Information)

This is the name of a woman. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is a town north of Jerusalem. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 26

1 Samuel 26 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Vengeance

David has another opportunity to kill Saul but he refuses to kill the one God had chosen as king. This contrasts with Saul, who tried to find David and kill him. Saul came to admit that David was more righteous than he was because he did not kill his enemy. (See: chosen, choose, chosen people, Chosen One, elect and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical question

David put his reason for not killing Saul in a rhetorical question: “Do not destroy him; for who can extend his hand against Yahweh’s anointed one and be guiltless?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 26:1

This rhetorical question can be translated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “David is hiding … Jeshimon!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “from which we can see Jeshimon”

This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 23:19. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 26:2

The word “arose” is an idiom for taking action. Alternate translation: “Then Saul took action and he went” (See: Idiom)

3,000 (See: Numbers)

men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities

1 Samuel 26:3

Alternate translation: “from which they could see Jeshimon”

This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 23:19. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 26:5

Alternate translation: “David took action and he went”

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 26:6

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are the names of women. (See: How to Translate Names)

David and his men were probably on higher ground than Saul.

Alternate translation: “I want to be the one who goes down”

1 Samuel 26:8

Abishai speaks as if the enemy were a small object that God had put into David’s hand. The word “hand” is a metonym for the power the hand can wield. Alternate translation: “God has given you complete control over your enemy” (See: Metonymy)

This is a metonym that refers to “kill with a spear” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “I will kill him the first time I strike him” or “I will not need to strike him a second time”

1 Samuel 26:9

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “No one can strike Yahweh’s anointed one and be without guilt.” or “Anyone who strikes Yahweh’s anointed one will be guilty of murder.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Litotes)

1 Samuel 26:10

Alternate translation: “as certainly as Yahweh lives” or “as surely as Yahweh lives”

Alternate translation: “he will die a natural death”

1 Samuel 26:11

The hand is a metonym for the harm a hand can do. Alternate translation: “do anything to harm” (See: Metonymy)

David includes Abishai, so the word “us” here is inclusive. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

1 Samuel 26:12

Yahweh had caused them to sleep deeply.

1 Samuel 26:14

David uses a question to shame Abner into answering. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Answer me, Abner!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“David spoke as loudly as he could” so Saul and his men could hear him

1 Samuel 26:15

David uses a question to rebuke Abner for not guarding Saul. Alternate translation: “You are a very brave man.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

David uses a question to rebuke Abner for not guarding Saul. Alternate translation: “You are the greatest soldier in Israel.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This could mean: (1) this is a real question and David wants Abner to answer him or (2) this is a rhetorical question and David is rebuking Abner. Alternate translation: “Therefore you should have kept watch over your master the king!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 26:17

Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 26:18

This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question or (2) If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “My master has no reason to pursue his servant.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here David speaks of Saul in third person calling him “my master,” and he speaks of himself in third person calling himself “his servant.” David speaks this way to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “Why are you, my master, pursuing me, your servant?” or “Why are you pursuing me?” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question or (2) If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that I have done nothing to harm you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This speaks of evil as if it were an object that is held in the hand. Here “hand” represents a person acting or doing something. This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question. Alternate translation: “What have I done wrong?” or (2) If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong!” (See: Metonymy and Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 26:19

David speaks as if he and the king were other people to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “you my king, listen to my words” (See: Pronouns)

Alternate translation: “caused you to be angry with me”

You may need to make explicit the reason he will give an offering. Alternate translation: “I will give him an offering so he will no longer cause you to be angry with me” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “may Yahweh decide to punish them” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “for they have today driven me out. It is as if they want me to stop clinging to the inheritance of Yahweh. It is as if they have said to me, ‘Go worship other gods.’”

Alternate translation: “so that I will no longer trust that Yahweh will give me what he has promised me”

1 Samuel 26:20

David speaks as if the king was another person to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “you have” (See: Pronouns)

This is a polite way of saying “do not kill me.” (See: Euphemism)

David uses the word “flea” as a metaphor for a person, himself, who cannot do any great harm. Alternate translation: “this single flea” or “me, and I cannot harm you any more than one flea can” (See: Metaphor)

Saul is chasing David as if he were hunting a valuable wild bird. (See: Simile and Translate Unknowns)

1 Samuel 26:21

This could mean: (1) “Return to serve me in my palace” or (2) “Return to your home.”

Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father. (See: Metaphor)

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “today you have considered my life to be very valuable” or “today you showed me that you really do respect me” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “been very foolish”

1 Samuel 26:23

The word “hand” is a metonym for the person’s power. “Yahweh gave me an opportunity to attack you today” or “Yahweh placed me where I could easily have killed you” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “give what is proper to each man””

David speaks as if Saul were another person to show that he respects Saul because Saul is king. Alternate translation: “the one he has chosen to be king” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 26:24

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 26:21. Alternate translation: “I have considered your life to be very valuable” or “I showed you today that I really do respect you” (See: Metaphor)

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “so may Yahweh consider my life very valuable as well” or “so may Yahweh value my life as much as I have valued your life” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 26:25

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh bless you” (See: Active or Passive)

Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father. (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 27

1 Samuel 27 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This begins a section about David living with the Philistines.

Special concepts in this chapter

David’s move

David is afraid Saul will someday catch him and kill him, so he moves to the Philistine city of Gath. This is a type of exile David creates for himself out of fear. It is caused by his lack of trust in God. This is the same reason his descendants would come to be exiled. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

1 Samuel 27:1

Here “his heart” is a metonym that means to himself. Alternate translation: “David thought to himself” (See: Synecdoche)

The word “hand” is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “escape from him” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 27:2

Alternate translation: “David took action; he passed over”

Alternate translation: “passed over the border between Israel and Philistia”

600 (See: Numbers)

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:10. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:3

This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 14:50. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 25:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 25:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:4

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “Saul heard” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 27:5

Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 20:3. Alternate translation: “If I have pleased you” or “If you consider me favorably” (See: Metaphor)

Since Achish was the one who would “give,” this is a metonym for “please give me a place.” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “one of the outlying towns” or “one of the towns outside the city”

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not need to live in the city with you.” or “I am not important enough to live here with you in the royal city.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

David speaks as if he were another person to show that he respected Achish. (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 27:6

This is the name of a city in the southwest part of Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:8

attacking and taking property many times (See: Idiom)

A people group who apparently lived somewhere between Philistia and Egypt. (See: How to Translate Names)

Here “you” is being used as an indefinite pronoun that refers to anyone. Alternate translation: “on the way most people travel to Shur” (See: Pronouns)

region on the northeast border of Egypt (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:9

the king of Gath (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 27:10

the king of Gath (See: How to Translate Names)

a clan from the tribe of Judah (See: How to Translate Names)

a people group who lived in the land of Midian (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:11

one of five Philistine city-states. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 27:12

the king of Gath (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Talking to the dead

Talking to the dead was against the law of Moses. God or the Holy Spirit left Saul because of his sin and would not help him. (See: die, dead, deadly, death, law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Spirit and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical question

Samuel uses a rhetorical question to say it was useless to ask his advice since there was no way Saul could be successful with God against him: “What then do you ask me, since Yahweh has left you, and he has become your enemy?” (See: Rhetorical Question)

1 Samuel 28:1

large assembly of armies

1 Samuel 28:2

The word “so” shows that the speaker agrees with what the other person has just said. Alternate translation: “Yes, I will go with you so that you will know … Very well, I will” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

David probably wanted Achish to think that David would kill many Israelites, but “what your servant can do” could also mean that David was planning to kill Philistines instead. Try to translate so that the reader can see both of these possible meanings.

David speaks as if he is another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate translation: “I” (See: Pronouns)

The word “you” refers to David and so is singular. (See: Pronouns)

a person who protects another person

1 Samuel 28:3

The writer provides background information to prepare the reader for the events that follow. (See: Background Information)

officially removed from the country or region, or prevented from entering Alternate translation: “expel from Israel”

The words “those who talked with the dead” translate as one word in the original language, and the words “those who … talked with spirits” also translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, or if your language has only one word for those who talk with the dead and with spirits, you should use those words here.

1 Samuel 28:4

after David and Achish spoke (1 Samuel 28:2)

Alternate translation: “gathered all his armies in Israel together”

these are names of places (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 28:5

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his fear. Here Saul is referred to by his “heart.” Alternate translation: “he was terrified” (See: Synecdoche and Parallelism)

1 Samuel 28:6

The high priest carried the sacred lots called Urim and Thummin in his breastplate, in a marked pouch, next to his heart.

1 Samuel 28:7

These words translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for a person who talks to the dead, you should use it here. See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 28:3.

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 28:8

Saul disguised himself because the way from Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4) to Endor (1 Samuel 28:7) was through land that the Philistines were living in. He traveled all day and reached the woman after the sun had gone down.

changed his usual appearance no one would know who he was

Alternate translation: “Talk to the dead for me”

1 Samuel 28:9

The words “those who talk with the dead” translate as one word in the original language, and the words “those who … talk with spirits” also translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, or if your language has only one word for those who talk with the dead and with spirits, you should use those words here. See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 28:3.

The word “life” represents the person. Alternate translation: “me” (See: Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 28:13

Other This could mean: (1) “one like God” or (2) “a judge” (1 Samuel 7:15).

1 Samuel 28:17

Samuel speaks as if the kingdom were a physical object that could be held in the hand and grabbed out by another person. Alternate translation: “made you so you are no longer king” or “made another person king in your place” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 28:19

Samuel speaks as if the people of Israel were a small object that Yahweh would give to the Philistines, whom he speaks of as if they were one person. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to you and the people of Israel” (See: Metaphor)

This is a polite way to say that Saul will die. Alternate translation: “will be dead” (See: Euphemism)

Samuel speaks as if the army of Israel were a small object that Yahweh would give to the Philistines, whom he speaks of as if they were one person. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to the army of Israel” (See: Metaphor)

1 Samuel 28:20

Saul had not eaten during the night before he traveled from Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4) to Endor (1 Samuel 28:7), nor during the day as he journeyed, nor during the night on which he visited the woman.

1 Samuel 28:21

This is an idiom. “I could die because I listened” or “Someone could kill me because I listened” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 28:22

The woman speaks as if she is another person to show that she respects Saul. She refers to herself by her “voice” to emphasize what she says. Alternate translation: “my voice” or “me speak to you” (See: Pronouns or Synecdoche)

1 Samuel 28:23

Alternate translation: “Saul would not do what they asked”

Alternate translation: “forced him”

1 Samuel 28:24

a calf that has been grown and fed to be available for a special feast

She mixed flour and oil, working and rolling the mixture thoroughly with her hands to produce dough for baking.

1 Samuel 29

1 Samuel 29 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 29:5.

Other possible translation difficulties

It is unclear whether David wanted to go into battle with the Philistines. He would have been fighting against Saul, but he also would have been fighting against Israel’s soldiers. It is probably best to see that David is conflicted over this issue, but some scholars believe that David planned on turning against the Philistines in the battle.

1 Samuel 29:1

a small stream of water flowing naturally from the Earth

1 Samuel 29:2

Alternate translation: “divided their men into groups; some groups had one hundred soldiers and some groups had one thousand soldiers”

100s…1,000s (See: Numbers)

The groups of hundreds and thousands passed on first, then Achish and his helpers, and then David, his men, and the other Philistine soldiers, who were guarding Achish.

1 Samuel 29:3

Possible ways to translate this rhetorical question as a statement are Alternate translation: (1) “You should not have allowed these Hebrews, our enemies, to be here with us.” or (2) “Tell us who these Hebrews are.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Another possible translation is “Is not this David,…these years? I have found … this day.” The rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that this is David … these years. I have found … this day.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I know of nothing that he has done wrong” or “I am very pleased with him” (See: Litotes)

1 Samuel 29:4

The person here is a synecdoche for the army he commands. Alternate translation: “Do not let his army join with our army against our enemies” (See: Synecdoche)

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Here “taking the heads” is a metonym for killing. Alternate translation: “The best way for David to make peace with his master would be by killing our soldiers!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metonymy)

1 Samuel 29:5

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not trust David—he is the one of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, ‘Saul … ten thousands’!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

“1,000s…10,000s” (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 29:6

This is an idiom. “As certainly as Yahweh lives” or “This is a true statement” (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “I am happy to have you go out and come in with me and my army” or “It is good that you go everywhere with me and my army”

1 Samuel 29:8

David speaks as if Achish were another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate translation: “you, my master and king” (See: Pronouns)

1 Samuel 29:9

Alternate translation: “even though that is true, this is more important: the princes” or “however, the princes”

1 Samuel 29:10

The reader should understand that Achish is speaking of Saul.

Alternate translation: “can see with the morning sun”

1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 30 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

David fights the Amalekites

When David and his men arrive home, they find the Amalekites have raided Ziklag and taken everything. They catch and destroy them and bring back all of their goods and families. Then David sends gifts to all the cities in Judah through which they had traveled.

1 Samuel 30:1

Ziklag is a city in the southern part of Judah. This was where David and his men kept their families.

1 Samuel 30:2

the Amalekites

This could mean: (1) “both unimportant people and important people” or (2) “both physically small and physically large.”

1 Samuel 30:3

belonging to David and his men

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they saw that someone had burned it and taken their wives … captive” (See: Active or Passive)

1 Samuel 30:4

These were mainly his army of men.

1 Samuel 30:5

David finds strength in Yahweh after the raid.

Alternate translation: “Ahinoam from Jezreel”

Alternate translation: “Nabal the man from Carmel”

women’s names (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 30:6

suffering

The word “bitter” is a metaphor for the desire to rebel. The word “spirit” is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “all the people were ready to rebel against David” or “all the people were very unhappy” (See: Synecdoche)

This could mean: (1) “David took courage because he knew Yahweh his God would help him” or (2) “Yahweh his God made David strong.”

1 Samuel 30:7

David seeks Yahweh’s direction in dealing with the raid on his people.

1 Samuel 30:8

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word direction, you could express the same idea with a clause. Alternate translation: “David prayed that Yahweh would tell David what David should do” (See: Abstract Nouns)

chase and try to catch

1 Samuel 30:9

600 men (See: Numbers)

small stream

1 Samuel 30:10

Alternate translation: “kept chasing them, trying to catch them”

400 men (See: Numbers)

200 men (See: Numbers)

They were tired from their own raids and now in pursuit of the Amalekites. They no longer had the strength to continue.

1 Samuel 30:11

He was left there to die from the Amalekite raiding party.

1 Samuel 30:12

Alternate translation: “clusters of dried grapes”

1 Samuel 30:13

David questioned the Egyptian slave.

Alternate translation: “three days in the past”

3 days (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 30:14

an attack on a town to take property

1 Samuel 30:15

a group of armed warriors who attack people or places unexpectedly

Here “hands” refers to control. Alternate translation: “you will not … violate the trust I have in you by allowing my master to control me again” (See: Metonymy)

1 Samuel 30:16

the goods they had stolen in the raid

1 Samuel 30:17

the time just after the sun goes down until the sky is dark

400 (See: Numbers)

1 Samuel 30:18

“got back … got back.” These two words translate the same Hebrew word. Your language may also have a word for a person getting his own property back from the person who stole it that is different from the word for a person getting his wife back from those who have captured her.

Alternate translation: “got his two wives back” or “saved his two wives from danger”

1 Samuel 30:19

Alternate translation: “None of the items the Amalekites had stolen were lost”

This could mean: (1) “neither unimportant people nor important people” or (2) “neither physically small nor physically large.” See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 30:2.

goods that the Amelekites had stolen. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 30:16.

1 Samuel 30:21

200 (See: Numbers)

a small stream or creek named Besor. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 30:9. (See: How to Translate Names)

spoke to them in a friendly way

1 Samuel 30:22

the goods they had taken from the enemy in battle. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 30:16.

Alternate translation: “we have regained” or “we have gotten back”

1 Samuel 30:24

This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement: Alternate translation: “No one will listen to you in this matter.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word share, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “as what belongs to anyone who goes” (See: Abstract Nouns)

the warriors who actually fought the enemy in war

Alternate translation: “will make sure that all receive the same amount”

the people who supported the warriors by managing and guarding their supplies

belongings that the soldiers left behind when they went into battle

1 Samuel 30:26

This is the name of a town. (See: How to Translate Names)

goods that David had taken from the Amalekites after the battle. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 30:16.

Alternate translation: “a gift”

1 Samuel 30:27

The writer begins a list of towns whose elders received gifts from David.

These are names of towns. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 30:28

The writer continues the list that began in 1 Samuel 30:27 of towns whose elders received gifts from David.

These are names of towns. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 30:29

The writer continues the list that began in 1 Samuel 30:27 of towns whose elders received gifts from David.

This is the name of a town. (See: How to Translate Names)

These are the names of people groups. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 30:30

The writer continues the list that began in 1 Samuel 30:27 of towns whose elders received gifts from David.

These are names of towns. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 30:31

The writer finishes the list that began in 1 Samuel 30:27 of towns whose elders received gifts from David.

1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This is the end of the section on Saul, but the book continues in 2 Samuel 1.

Special concepts in this chapter

Saul’s punishment

Saul receives his punishment from God: death for his disobedience and resisting the will of God. (See: will of God)

1 Samuel 31:1

This battle was the result of the conflict between David and the Philistines in 1 Samuel 29:11. The writer has finished telling the story of David that began in 1 Samuel 30:1, and now he tells about the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines.

“Israel” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “against the people of Israel” (See: Metonymy)

This is the name of a mountain (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 31:2

Alternate translation: “chased Saul and three of his sons”

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 31:3

This is an idiom. “Saul’s army began to lose the battle” (See: Idiom)

1 Samuel 31:4

The armor bearer carried the large shield of his commanding officer and other weapons. He protected the commanding officer during a battle.

The nominal adjective “uncircumcised” can be translated as an adjective. Not being circumcised is a metonym for being foreigners. Alternate translation: “these men who have not been circumcised” or “these non-Israelite men” (See: Nominal Adjectives and Metonymy)

The ellipsis can be filled in. Alternate translation: “would not do what Saul had told him to do” (See: Ellipsis)

Alternate translation: “killed himself with his own sword”

1 Samuel 31:6

Alternate translation: “on that one day”

1 Samuel 31:7

lived in the cities the men of Israel had left

1 Samuel 31:8

take the armor and weapons off the dead Israelites’ bodies

a mountain range overlooking the Valley of Jezreel in northern Israel, south of Nazareth (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 31:9

Alternate translation: “all areas of the land of the Philistines”

Alternate translation: “to speak the news inside the temples and to the people”

the buildings where they worshiped their idols

1 Samuel 31:10

ancient false goddesses and idols, also called “Asherah” or “Astarte”

attached, probably with a large spike or nail

the name of a city (See: How to Translate Names)

1 Samuel 31:11

This is the name of a town. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 11:1. (See: How to Translate Names)

Alternate translation: “how the Philistines had dishonored Saul”

1 Samuel 31:12

Alternate translation: “throughout the whole night”

1 Samuel 31:13

This is a type of tree. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 22:6. Alternate translation: “a large shade tree” (See: Translate Unknowns)