The men of Israel: the Hebrew is literally singular, “man of Israel.” But the sense is clearly plural, that is, “the troops of Israel” or “the soldiers of Israel.”

Gathered represents the same general verb as used of the Philistines in verse 1.

The valley of Elah: (see also verse 19 and 21.9) south of Socoh and Azekah. The name Elah means “Terebinth,” which is a kind of tree. The same Hebrew word is often translated “oak,” as for example in Gen 35.4 in Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and New Jerusalem Bible, but as “terebinth tree” by Revised English Bible. Though Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have transliterated the Hebrew name here in verse 2, it may be translated as in New Jerusalem Bible, “Valley of the Terebinth” (so also New American Bible, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and Osty-Trinquet). The name is translated also as “Valley of the Oak” (La Bible du Semeur, Fox).

The four English words, drew up in line, translate a single Hebrew verb referring to taking positions for military action. New Revised Standard Version says that they “formed ranks.” Klein (“got ready for battle”) is similar to Good News Translation. Compare 4.2.

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 .