God’s choice of David to become king is recalled in Psa 78.70-71.

And he sent: that is, “Jesse sent” (so Good News Translation). Since Jesse’s actions are in response to Samuel’s command in verse 12, Good News Translation shows the logical connection between verses 11 and 12 with the word “so.” The verb sent may require an object in certain languages. Translators may say “sent someone” or “sent a messenger.” But if this is done, special care should be taken to show that the description given in the second sentence is of David and not of the person sent to bring him back.

Ruddy: the Hebrew word means “reddish” and probably refers to reddish hair (La Bible du Semeur) or skin (Moffatt). Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible say “with ruddy cheeks,” that is, he was healthy-looking. See also 17.42, where the same term occurs. In languages where healthiness is not described in terms of color, it is possible to translate more generally “healthy” (Contemporary English Version).

And had beautiful eyes: literally “with handsome eyes.” Some interpreters suggest that the preposition “with” should be corrected to read “a youth,” and that proposal seems to have been accepted by New American Bible (“a youth handsome to behold”).

Note also that New American Bible takes the words “handsome of eyes” to mean that David was handsome in the eyes of other people, rather than that David’s eyes were handsome. See also Anchor Bible, “handsome to the eye.” Most, however, do not follow the interpretation found in New American Bible and Anchor Bible. Revised English Bible says that David had “bright eyes,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “with fine eyes.” Translators will perhaps have some idiom in their language that is equivalent to “his eyes sparkled.”

Arise: this does not mean that Samuel had been sitting down. Rather it is a call to action. See the comments on this verb at 9.3.

Anoint: see the comments on 2.10. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “anoint him king.”

This is he: meaning “This is the person God has chosen to be king” or “He’s the one!” (Contemporary English Version). While this element comes last in the Hebrew text, it may be more natural to place it before the instructions to anoint David, as in Good News Translation.

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 .