Cut off his head: compare 17.51, where David “cut off” Goliath’s head. Since Saul is the person in focus, the pronoun his clearly refers to Saul, even though other dead people are mentioned. If there is any doubt about the reference of the pronoun in the receptor language translation, the name should be used in place of the pronoun.

Stripped off his armor: several modern non-English versions speak of “arms” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) rather than armor. Klein also speaks of “weapons.” The Hebrew term is a rather general one that is translated “utensils,” “instruments,” or “equipment” in other contexts. Since both weapons and armor are utensils of war, either interpretation is possible. Perhaps the term was intended to refer to both.

Sent messengers: literally “they sent.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have both added the word messengers according to the sense of the Hebrew and the requirements of good English style.

Throughout translates a single preposition in Hebrew. Languages may have idiomatic expressions as in English, “through the length and breadth of their land” (Revised English Bible).

A textual problem exists regarding the words their idols, which is a translation of the Septuagint (followed by Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). The reading in the Septuagint agrees with the Hebrew text of 1 Chr 10.9. The Masoretic Text says “to the house of their idols and to the people” (so New Revised Standard Version, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). New International Version says “to the temple of their idols…” (so also Contemporary English Version and La Bible du Semeur). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, which makes specific mention of the house.

The people clearly refers to the Philistine people. Good News Translation makes this clear by saying “their people.”

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 .