The town of Shunem, which overlooked the eastern end of the Valley of Jezreel, was located about twelve kilometers (or seven and one-half miles) northwest of Mount Gilboa. Mount Gilboa rises to a height of 520 meters (about 1700 feet) above sea level.

Depending on the perspective of the receptor language, the verb rendered came may become “went” (Contemporary English Version) or “advanced” (New American Bible). This verb of movement is, however, left implicit in certain modern versions. Others leave the verb assembled implicit.

At Gilboa: though Good News Translation says “Mount Gilboa,” it is uncertain whether the name Gilboa refers to the mountain or to a nearby city by that name. Here and in 2 Sam 21.12, the Hebrew text says only Gilboa and not “Mount Gilboa” as elsewhere in the Old Testament. The Hebrew may be rendered “at Gilboa” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or “on Gilboa” (New American Bible). The English preposition “on” in New American Bible clearly suggests that the reference is to Mount Gilboa, and “on Gilboa” also occurs in the Revised Standard Version translation of 2 Sam 21.12.

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 .