Arose: see the comments on this verb at 9.3 and in “Translating the Books of Samuel,” page 20 and following. Here it is not advisable to translate this verb separately, since it merely marks the initiation of action and is not to be taken literally. It is reflected by the words “at once” in Good News Translation.

The wilderness of Ziph: see the comments on 23.14. These words occur twice in Revised Standard Version as in Hebrew, but it may be more natural in certain languages to render them only once as in Good News Translation.

Three thousand chosen men: see the comments on 24.2.

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 .