They said, that is, the priests and the diviners. This is made explicit in Bible en français courant, which says “the priests and diviners responded.” And in the context of this conversation, the verb may be more naturally rendered “responded” (Bible en français courant) or “answered” (New International Version, New Century Version).
Return him: that is, return, or more literally “send,” to the God of Israel. The guilt offering is not actually being returned but given for the first time along with the Covenant Box that is being returned.
A guilt offering: regarding guilt offerings, see Lev 5.14–6.7 and 7.1-10, where the same term occurs and regulations are given. In Leviticus Revised English Bible calls this a “reparation-offering,” New Jerusalem Bible calls it a “sacrifice of reparation,” and New Century Version “a penalty offering.” Here in verse 3 Revised English Bible renders this “an offering by way of compensation.”
You will be healed: this is an indirect reference to the physical suffering of the Philistines caused by the “tumors” mentioned in the previous chapter (verses 6, 9, and 12). This illness would be removed from the Philistines when the ark was returned to its proper owners. Where the passive form is not possible, translators may say “God will heal you” or “you will become well again.”
It will be known to you: this passive construction will probably sound more natural if translated “you will know” (New International Version, New Century Version). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh interprets this part of the verse in a slightly different way, translating “He will make Himself known to you; otherwise His hand will not turn away from you.” In some contexts (for example, Exo 6.3) the passive form of the Hebrew verb “to know” does mean “make oneself known” or “reveal oneself.” Furthermore, the Hebrew word translated why in Revised Standard Version may also mean “otherwise,” as in 1 Sam 19.17. The New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translation is certainly possible, but few other modern versions follow this interpretation.
Why his hand does not turn away from you: for the metaphorical use of the noun hand, see the comments on 4.8. The pronoun his refers to the God of Israel. The word hand is a figure of speech representing God himself. The question is “why the LORD was causing you so much trouble” (Contemporary English Version) or “why he continues to afflict you” (New American Bible).
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 .