The spirit of the LORD: similar expressions occur in 11.6; 16.13, 14; 2 Sam 23.2. Some translations capitalize the word spirit (so New International Version and La Bible du Semeur), but others use lower case letters (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible). Use of the capitalized “Spirit” will suggest the third person of the Trinity to many readers. Since the Trinity is related to Christian theology rather than to Hebrew theology, it is better here to follow the model of Revised Standard Version. Translators will observe, however, that Revised Standard Version is inconsistent, sometimes saying “spirit” and sometimes “Spirit” (see, for example, 16.13).

Come mightily upon: this common expression suggests that God takes complete control of a person and that God’s actions cannot be resisted (see verse 10, 11.6; 16.13; 18.10). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “The spirit of the LORD will grip you.” Other renderings include “will possess you” (New Revised Standard Version) and “will take possession of you” (Revised English Bible).

The conjunction and, which joins the clause about the coming of the spirit of the LORD and the action of prophesying, may be better rendered as a causal relationship. The prophetic state predicted is a direct result of the coming of the spirit and not just another event in a series. So it is possible to translate the conjunction as “therefore” or something similar.

You shall prophesy: see the comments on verse 5, since the same meaning is intended here. New American Bible says “you will join them in their prophetic state.”

You shall … be turned into another man: the inspiration of God’s spirit will so completely take control of Saul that he will be like a different person. In languages where the passive construction is not possible, translators may have to say “the spirit of the LORD will change you into a different person.”

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 .