And they stripped him: Good News Translation equates this action with that of stripping off Saul’s armor. But this refers to stripping off his clothes as well as his protective armor. Compare Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, which reads “Then they took off his clothes.” The text goes on to speak specifically of his armor, which would have included also taking any of his remaining weapons.

And took his head: The parallel text in 1 Sam 31.9 says that they cut off Saul’s head. That information may be made explicit here also (so Good News Translation, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Moffatt, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The practice of cutting off the head of enemy kings was known in other ancient Near Eastern countries also.

And sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines: Sent messengers is literally “they sent.” Most translations add the direct object messengers, but it is also possible that what was sent was Saul’s head and armor. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, for example, begins this verse with “They stripped him, and carried off his head and his armor, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines…” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant). New Living Translation renders throughout the land of the Philistines as “throughout the land of Philistia.” Some languages may have an idiomatic expression for this phrase; for example, Revised English Bible says “through the length and breadth of their land.”

To carry the good news to their idols and to the people: The people clearly refers to the Philistine people. Good News Translation and several other modern versions make this clear by saying “their people.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .