Overtook: this translates an intensive form of the verb meaning “cling to” or “keep close to.” It is sometimes rendered “pursued” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible) or “closely pursued” (Revised English Bible), but New Jerusalem Bible and New International Version attempt to show the intensive nature of the verb form with “bore down on” and “pressed hard after.”

His sons: Revised Standard Version gives the impression that all Saul’s sons are in view, but this is not the case. Information elsewhere in 1 Samuel indicates that Saul had at least one other son (see 14.49; also 2 Sam 2.8; 1 Chr 8.33). If a literal translation of this verse will incorrectly suggest that these were Saul’s only sons, it may be preferable to restructure and add the implicit information, 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 .