Edom: the names “Edom” and “Aram” are very similar in Hebrew and are often confused. Here most Hebrew texts have “Aram,” but a few have “Edom.” “Edom” is also found in the ancient Greek and Syriac translations as well as in the parallel passage in 1 Chr 18.11. Several modern versions follow the reading of the traditional Hebrew text and have “Aram” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Osty-Trinquet, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or “Syria” (King James Version). But the majority translate “Edom,” which is also the recommendation of Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, which gives Edom a {C} evaluation.

Moab: see the comments on 1 Sam 12.9.

Ammonites: see the comments on 1 Sam 11.1.

Amalek: the reference is to the descendants of Amalek (see the comments on 1 Sam 15.2). In many languages it will be better to say “the Amalekites” (so La Bible du Semeur).

The spoil: see 3.22 as well as 1 Sam 14.30.

Note that, as in Good News Translation, it may be more natural in other languages not to repeat the identifying information about Hadadezer. The words the son of Rehob, king of Zobah may be dropped, since they are a repetition of what has already been said in verse 3.

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 .