He had a son, that is, Kish had a son. A great many names have been mentioned since the mention of Kish in the previous verse. In some languages it may be wise to use the name Kish here (as New Century Version does) instead of the pronoun.

A handsome young man: literally “a young man and good.” While the Hebrew word “good” may be translated as handsome in this context (Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation), some interpreters take the word in a more general sense, such as “an impressive young man” (New International Version) or “an excellent young man” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew word translated young suggests that Saul was not only young but was fully grown and vigorous. Good News Translation focuses on the latter aspect, that is, “in the prime of life” (so also Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible).

Among the people of Israel is literally “among the sons of Israel.”

More handsome than he: literally “good than him.” Here again, it is possible to understand the Hebrew word “good” to mean handsome in this context. But the meaning may be more general, as in New International Version “without equal among the Israelites.”

A literal translation of the Hebrew “from his shoulder and above taller than any of the people” may suggest incorrectly to some readers than Saul had a very long neck. Rather, the meaning is that he was “a head taller” (New International Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “a foot taller” (Good News Translation). Some languages may have to say something like “he surpassed all others in height by his head” or “his head stuck out higher than everybody else.”

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 .