In some languages it may be necessary to make explicit the fact that Abiathar had arrived or had joined David. One may say, for example, “And after Abiathar had caught up with David, he told David….”

Killed: this translates a different Hebrew verb from that translated “killed” in verse 18, but the two verbs seem to be used without any difference in meaning. Some versions attempt to make a rather fine distinction between killing and unjustified homicide in the translation of this verb. New Jerusalem Bible, like Good News Translation, has “slaughtered,” and Klein and Contemporary English Version translate “murdered.” It is most unlikely that Saul himself killed the priests. In some languages it will be better to use a causative form of the verb and say that Saul caused the priests to be killed. The Hebrew clearly makes Saul responsible for their deaths, regardless of who actually did the killing.

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 .