It will be more natural in some languages to say that Samuel “asked” (New American Bible) rather than to say that he said. Similarly the second occurrence of the verb said may be more naturally translated “answered” (New Century Version) or “replied” (New International Version).

The people were scattering from me: see the comments on verse 8 above.

Within the days appointed: see the comments on verse 8.

Mustered: see verse 5 above and comments on 11.8.

Michmash: see verse 2.

Revised Standard Version follows the complex Hebrew sentence structure beginning with three clauses in this verse and continuing with the rest of the sentence in verse 12. But it will be better in many languages to make one or two separate sentences of the elements in this verse. See Good News Translation.

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 .