A man from the land of Benjamin refers to Saul, but he should not be identified by name here. Although land is a correct literal translation of the Hebrew text, Saul’s membership in the tribe of Benjamin is what is important. If a literal rendering risks being understood merely as referring to Saul’s location prior to going to Ramah, then it may be better to translate “from the tribe of Benjamin,” as in Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version.

Anoint: see the comment on 2.10.

The Hebrew word translated prince in Revised Standard Version has a wide range of meaning, referring to persons who have widespread influence, from court officials and heads of families, to military officers, and to leaders appointed by God, including high priests and kings. The translation “commander” (New American Bible) suggests that the focus here is on Saul’s role as a military commander. The word probably means “the designated one” or “the one proclaimed.” It may therefore be rendered “chosen leader” or “designated ruler.” It should not be understood to mean “the son of a king,” which is the usual sense of the English word “prince.” This same term occurs in 10.1; 13.14; 25.30; 2 Sam 5.2; 6.21; 7.8.

On the figurative use of hand, see the comments on 4.8. Here the phrase means “from the power of the Philistines.”

As noted in Revised Standard Version, the Hebrew lacks the words the affliction of. Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version add these words, following the Septuagint. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives only a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text. Even if translators choose to follow the Masoretic Text here, they may decide to include the words “the sufferings of,” since the idea is surely implicit in the Hebrew.

For I have seen the affliction … their cry has come to me: these words echo God’s words to Moses in Exo 3.7, 9. The last part of this expression, with cry as the subject of the sentence, may be unnatural if translated literally. The meaning, however, is easily rendered “I have heard their call for help.”

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 .