The sentence begun here continues through the end of verse 2 in Revised Standard Version. New Revised Standard Version replaces the semicolon at the end of this verse with a period. Good News Translation also makes a separate sentence of this verse. Verse 1 sets the stage for the story that follows. Other versions break this verse up into two or three separate sentences, the first of which is “Now Saul was dead” (New Century Version).

After the death of Saul: literally “And it happened after the death of Saul” (on the translation of this discourse marker, see page 19). There is an obvious similarity between these initial words and the way in which the books of Joshua and Judges are introduced. The Book of Joshua begins “After the death of Moses…,” while Judges starts off with “After the death of Joshua….” Similarly 2 Kings begins “After the death of Ahab….” The same formula is, however, also used as a transitional device within the discourse of a book, as in Gen 25.11 and 1 Chr 2.24. And it will be recalled that the books of Samuel were originally a unit. Probably the presence of this formula was a factor in deciding where to divide the two books.

Returned: in some languages it may be necessary to indicate more explicitly where David was before he returned to Ziklag. So one may have to say “left the place where he had defeated the Amalekites.” Others may have to focus on the place to which he returned, by saying something like “went back to Ziklag” before stating that he remained there for two days.

It is not clear in the Hebrew whether the verb rendered had returned refers (1) to action prior to the time of Saul’s death or (2) to action after Saul’s death. Revised Standard Version is also rather ambiguous. Revised English Bible (also Good News Translation and Bible en français courant), however, is clearly based on the second interpretation: “After Saul’s death David returned from his victory … and spent two days in Ziklag.” Though the sequence and forms of the Hebrew verbs allow for both interpretations, the first understanding seems to be more likely correct.

New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente provide two different models for the first interpretation. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “After the death of Saul—David had already returned from defeating the Amalekites—David stayed two days in Ziklag.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente states “After the victory over the Amalekites, David returned to Ziklag and spent two days there. In the meantime, King Saul had died.” See also Anchor Bible, “After the death of Saul, David, having returned from defeating the Amalekites, remained in Ziklag two days.”

Slaughter: this translates a very general and frequently used word that is often translated “defeated” or “killed” in similar contexts in Revised Standard Version. Fox translates the Hebrew as “from striking the Amalek(ites).” Most modern versions speak of “victory over” (Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible) or use some form of the verb “defeat” (New Revised Standard Version, Anchor Bible, and New International Version). A general term should probably also be sought in the receptor language rather than rendering the English word slaughter literally.

Amalekites: there is some question as to whether the original text had the name “Amalek” or the derived noun “Amalekite[s].” But the sense is the same. First mentioned in Gen 14.7, this nomadic tribe roamed the desert south of Judah, and there was strong animosity between them and the people of Israel. See especially 1 Sam 15.

Ziklag: the Philistine king of Gath named Achish gave this city to David as a reward for his military service (see 1 Sam 27.6). The receptor language should somehow indicate that this was a city rather than a region or some other geographical entity, especially if this was not made clear in the earlier account.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .