Now the people of Beth-shemesh: literally “And Beth-shemesh.” It will be necessary in most languages to say the people of Beth-shemesh. Now translates the common Hebrew conjunction waw, which serves here to introduce a new scene in the story.

The word reaping may be rendered “harvesting” (Revised English Bible), “gathering” (Anchor Bible). But some languages may have a special word for “cutting [grain].”

Wheat harvest: the wheat harvest took place in the spring of the year, between April and June (see also comments on 12.17).

In the valley: in some languages there is no specific word for valley, so this may have to be translated “in the low places” or “the place where hills meet.”

The expression lifted up their eyes is a Hebrew idiom that means simply “they looked up” from the work that they had been doing. In many cases it is wise to avoid a literal rendering of this expression. Compare Exo 14.10; Matt 17.8.

They rejoiced to see it: New Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint here: “they went with rejoicing to meet it” (so also New Jerusalem Bible). But translators are advised to translate the traditional text as represented in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. The problem is not mentioned in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project.

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 .