The beginning of this verse in the Masoretic Text has seemed too difficult by some interpreters, who have followed the Septuagint, which is the basis for the conjecture in Revised Standard Version. New Revised Standard Version, however, has attempted to make sense of the Hebrew, rendering the beginning “Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan.” The meaning seems clear enough: some Israelite troops hid in caves, thickets, and holes in the ground (verse 6), and some fled to the east across the Jordan River. Although the Masoretic Text does not have the word “some” or “others” before the noun “Hebrews,” the sense will require that it be included in some languages. Compare New American Bible, “and other Hebrews passed over the Jordan.” The English word fords refers to shallow places that may be crossed by wading.

Gad and Gilead were east of the Jordan River. Gad was the territory occupied by the tribe of Gad, between the Jabbok and Arnon rivers. See Josh 13.24-28. Gilead was the mountainous territory assigned to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Later this territory was ruled by the Ammonites and the Moabites.

Followed him trembling: it seems contradictory to say that some people fled across the Jordan, and then to say that all the people followed him [Saul] trembling. For this reason some interpreters suggest that the Hebrew text should be changed to agree with one form of the Septuagint that says “and all the people deserted him in terror.” It seems better, however, to understand the last part of this verse as referring to all of the Israelites, both those who had fled and those who were still with Saul, and translate similarly to Revised English Bible: “and all his followers were in a state of alarm.”

Trembling: the Hebrew verb expresses different degrees of intensity, depending on the context. It often describes a state of horror and suggests extreme insecurity.

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 .