Some languages may require a clear indication of what Saul waited for. Revised English Bible makes this clear by translating “waited for his meeting with Samuel.”

The time appointed by Samuel: or “because Samuel had promised that he would meet him then.” See 10.8.

The people were scattering from him: here again the people refers specifically to the armed troops (see the comments on verses 2 and 4 above). New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model: “the army, deserting Saul, began dispersing.” See also Anchor Bible: “the army began to drift away from him.” It should be clear in the receptor language that the people were scattering from Saul and not from Samuel. So it may be advisable to use the proper noun in place of the pronoun.

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 .