Saul’s action of tearing the robe (verse 27) and the symbolic meaning that Samuel gives to this action (verse 28) resemble the symbolic action of Ahijah in 1 Kgs 11.30-31. The Hebrew says literally “As Samuel turned to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt….” Nearly all translations insert the name “Saul” in place of the pronoun he, for the sake of clarity; otherwise the text seems to say that Samuel laid hold of the garment. Fox‘s literal translation may easily be misunderstood: “As Shemuʾel turned-about to go, he held-on to the corner of his cloak, and it tore.” It is therefore not recommended as a model.

The skirt of his robe, that is, the “hem” (New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible) of his robe. In some languages this may be translated “the edge of his cloak” or “the end of his clothing.” While the tearing of one’s own clothing in Old Testament times usually signifies grief or sadness over some sin or bad news, the symbolic meaning of Saul’s action is very different. Regardless of what Saul may have intended, the meaning of the gesture is explained by Samuel in the following verse.

The Hebrew verb translated it tore may also mean “to tear away.” Both interpretations are found in modern translations. Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Good News Translation, and Revised English Bible, for example, read “it tore.” New American Bible, however, reads “it tore off” and Anchor Bible says “it tore away.” The translation “it tore off” is recommended here.

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 .