Turned his back: literally “at his turning his shoulder.” Since the expression “turned his back” may have very negative connotations in some languages, a literal rendering of Revised Standard Version should be avoided in those cases. The meaning is simply “As he turned away to leave” (New Revised Standard Version).

Gave him another heart: literally “turned another heart to him.” In Hebrew thought the heart was the innermost part of a person, the center of decision making and the place for moral choice (see the comments on 1.8). Since it may not be entirely clear in some languages who receives the new heart, translators may wish to follow the model of Good News Translation and others in stating clearly that “God gave Saul a new nature.” New Century Version words it differently but gives the same meaning, “God changed Saul’s heart.” La Bible du Semeur says “operated a transformation in his inner being.”

All these signs refers to the things that Samuel had said would occur that day (see verses 2-7).

Came to pass: literally “came” or “entered.” A number of modern versions have the passive form “were fulfilled” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version). New Century Version uses the English idiom “came true.” But the most natural equivalent in many languages may be more like “occurred” (Moffatt, New Jerusalem Bible) or “happened” (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 .