Go down: the battles had been fought in the hill country, and now the Israelite army was going to go down toward the lower land where the Philistines were at this point in the story. See also verse 46 below, where Saul “went up” from pursuing the Philistines.

Despoil them until the morning light: the verb used here normally means “to take plunder.” But in this context it is clear that there would be fighting that would result in the death of all the enemies.

The direct quotation of what Saul said may be made indirect by saying “Then Saul ordered his soldiers to go down with him during the night to attack the Philistines and take … until there was no one left alive.”

Do whatever seems good to you: literally “All (that is) good in your eyes, do!” Most translations express this in more natural idiomatic English, such as “Do what you think best” (Revised English Bible and New American Bible). The same expression occurs in verse 40 also.

Let us draw near hither to God: the priest, probably Ahijah, advises Saul and his men to seek the will of God, to determine whether God approves or disapproves (see 30.8; Num 27.21; Judges 18.5). See earlier verse 19. A literal translation of the end of this verse may give the wrong impression that the priest was suggesting that the troops should consult God instead of attacking the Philistines. Good News Translation adds the word “first” (also Revised English Bible and Fox, in parentheses) in order to show that the suggestion to consult God was not an alternative to attacking the Philistines, but rather should be the first thing done.

The direct quotation of the priest may be made indirect by saying “But the priest insisted that they should ask God before doing anything.”

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 .