They cried to the LORD: see Judges 10.10-15. Compare also verse 8 above as well as 1 Sam 7.9, where the same expression is used of Samuel’s appeal to the LORD on behalf of Israel.

The prayer of the people of Israel is inconsistent in that it uses a third person reference we have forsaken the LORD in the beginning but concludes with a second person reference we will serve thee. In most languages it will be more natural to make both of these second person references and use ordinary pronouns rather than the archaic one found in Revised Standard Version (New Revised Standard Version has “you”). The second clause of the prayer will then read “we have abandoned you.”

Because: the Hebrew word may express the cause as in rev and Good News Translation, or the content of the sin as in New American Bible and Revised English Bible, “We have sinned in forsaking the LORD.” There is no real difference in meaning.

The Baals and the Ashtaroth: see the comments on 7.3, 4.

The hand of our enemies: for the metaphorical use of hand, see 4.8.

Serve thee: see the comments on 7.4.

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 .