Depending on the structure of the translation in verses 11 and 12, it may be more natural to say “they also gave him” these additional items, which would have been useful and perhaps essential for travel in a dry region.

Cake of figs and … clusters of raisins: see the comments on 25.18.

His spirit revived: literally “his breath returned in him.” New Century Version says “He felt better after eating.”

He had not eaten bread: the word bread is used here, as in the previous verse, in reference to food in general (see also 28.20).

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 .