The transition word Then represents the common conjunction. But here it seems to suggest the passage of a certain amount of time before the leaders of Israel took action. New American Bible translates it “Finally.” However, it may also be taken as a logical connector introducing what the leaders did as a result of the inappropriate behavior of the sons of Samuel. Revised English Bible and Fox take it this way, translating “So.”

The elders were heads of families or groups of families (see the comment on 4.3). The Septuagint says “men of Israel” instead of all the elders of Israel, and it is followed by Anchor Bible.

Ramah was the town where Samuel lived and ruled over Israel (see 7.17).

Came: the decision about whether to use the verb “came” or “went” (Good News Translation) may depend on where the writer is thought to have been. Good News Translation assumes that the writer of Samuel was not at Ramah. New Jerusalem Bible similarly has “went back.” And New Century Version avoids the problem by using the verb “met.”

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 .