This verse, which begins in Hebrew with the transition marker “And it happened,” describes two simultaneous actions. At the same time that Saul was speaking to Ahijah, the confusion among the members of the Philistine army was increasing. The translation should make it clear that these two things were going on at the same time.

The word translated tumult may be rendered “noise.” In 4.14 the same word is translated “outcry.” But in this context it seems to refer to the utter confusion and chaos in the Philistine camp. New Jerusalem Bible uses the word “turmoil.”

Increased more and more: literally “was going on, going on and becoming great.” The idea seems to be that the confusion among the Philistines just kept on getting greater.

Withdraw your hand: seeing that the battle with the Philistines was about to begin, Saul told the priest Ahijah not to continue what he had begun. The ephod was used as an instrument of divination; and if the Septuagint reading is accepted in verse 18, then Saul and the priest were using the ephod to determine God’s will. If the Masoretic Text is followed in verse 18, then it is less clear what role the ark was to play. Quite possibly the ark also was somehow used to determine God’s will through divination or oracles.

In either case translators should not follow the example of New Century Version here in saying “There’s not time to pray now!” Saul was most likely not seeking to know God’s will through prayer but rather through some form of divination. In any case some languages will be able to use a very general expression appropriate to telling someone to drop what he is doing, since it is no longer useful. Some may say “Forget about that” or “never mind!” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .