Obey the voice of the LORD: the idiom “to obey the voice [of someone]” is common in the Old Testament. It may be more natural in some languages to say “obey the person” or “do what the person says to do” rather than “obey the voice of the person.”

Swoop on the spoil: this expresses the same sense as flew on the spoil in 14.32, but the verb is different. The idea is that of greedily rushing into a situation for selfish benefit.

Do what was evil in the sight of the LORD: this expression occurs often in Judges (for example, 2.11; 3.7, 12; 4.1; 6.1; 10.6; 13.1). That which is evil in the sight of the LORD is that which displeases him and which he prohibits. In this context it is synonymous with swoop on the spoil, so translators should take special care in translating the conjunction and. Good News Translation shows that the two are identical by translating “and so,” meaning “and in this manner.”

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 .