Now translates the Hebrew word that is often rendered “Behold.” It focuses attention on the entry of Saul into the scene.

Was coming from the field behind the oxen: the word order in Hebrew is “was coming behind the oxen from the field.” The word order in Revised Standard Version may incorrectly suggest that the writer is indicating the location of the field (behind the oxen) rather than the location of Saul, who was behind the oxen. In some languages it will be more natural to say “Saul was driving his oxen home from the field.”

What ails the people: literally “What to the people?” New International Version provides a possible model: “What is wrong with the people?”

In those languages that are reluctant to use direct quotations, it will be possible to translate the middle part of this verse as “Saul asked what was troubling the people and causing them to weep” or “Saul asked what the people were crying about.”Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 11:5

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 .