The verb said will be better rendered “replied” (New Jerusalem Bible) in certain languages, because this is a part of an ongoing conversation.

Samuel responds by repeating the main word in the elders’ question, Peaceably. He then goes on to state more specifically why he has come. But in some languages it may be much more natural to begin his answer by a simple “Yes” (New Jerusalem Bible as well as Good News Translation).

Consecrate yourselves: ritual purity was required before certain religious practices could be performed, and specific cleansings were required for different forms of ritual impurity. Compare Exo 19.9-15, where Moses consecrates the people of Israel. The verb used here and repeated in the following sentence contains the root meaning “holy.” It has to do with being set aside for a particular purpose, or being withdrawn from ordinary use to serve God in some way. In this case the elders of Bethlehem are instructed to devote themselves exclusively to the sacrifice Samuel was about to make.

He consecrated Jesse and his sons: the Hebrew states that Samuel consecrated Jesse and his son, not that they consecrated themselves, as Good News Translation states. Compare the consecration of Eleazar in 7.1.

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 .

While David was going back and forth between Saul’s camp and taking care of his father’s sheep, Goliath was issuing his daily challenges. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente connects verse 16 to the preceding verse by saying “In the meantime, the Philistine warrior….”

Forty days is often a round number in the Old Testament (see the comments on 4.18). Readers in many cultures today will understand the number forty to indicate a precise number of days, that is, no more and no less than forty. All translations consulted, however, translate this number literally rather than saying something like, “for many days” or “for about forty days.”

Goliath is not mentioned by name but is referred to here as the Philistine. By stating his name Good News Translation assures that the reader will understand that the reference is to Goliath. But at the same time, perhaps some slight loss of meaning occurs when the enemy is identified by name instead of by nationality, since the Philistines were bitter enemies of the Israelites. However, in languages that do not have definite or indefinite articles, the use of the name may be justified. A good solution may be to use both the name and the nationality: “Goliath, [the] Philistine.”

The assertion that Goliath took his stand means that he came out of the Philistine camp every morning and evening and stood alone while issuing his challenge to the Israelites troops. See also Bible en français courant, “presented himself over against the Israelite army.”

Morning and evening: in Hebrew these are verb forms, that is, “to rise early” and “to do something late.” These verbal forms function as adverbs, indicating when Goliath took his stand.

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 .

So: the common Hebrew conjunction is translated by a number of modern versions as an adverb of manner, “Thus” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). That is, it was in this way (the way just described in the narrative) that David defeated Goliath.

Prevailed over: or, more literally, “was stronger than.” That is, David won the battle. Modern versions use verbs like “defeated” (Contemporary English Version), “overcame” (New American Bible), and “triumphed over” (New Jerusalem Bible).

This verse, which is a kind of summary statement, is missing in the Septuagint. Moffatt and New American Bible place the entire verse within square brackets, indicating that the translators regard the verse to be a later addition to the Hebrew text.

According to 2 Sam 21.19, Goliath was killed by Elhanan, the son of Jair. Various suggestions have been made to explain the difference, including the following: (1) “Elhanan” and “David” refer to the same person. One is a personal name and the other a title. (2) “Elhanan” is a given name and “David” is a throne name. (3) The two refer to different people, and though Elhanan killed Goliath, the tradition later attributed this conquest to David. But whatever the explanation for this problem, translators are required to translate the text as it stands.

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 .

Arose and went: that is, David moved into action. See the comments at 9.3 and in “Translating the Books of Samuel,” page 20 and following, on the use of the verb “arise” in series with other verbs.

Versions differ on whether the number of Philistines killed by David and his men was two hundred (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible) or “one hundred” (New Revised Standard Version, Moffatt, and Klein). The number “one hundred” is found in an important Septuagint manuscript. It is also the number required by Saul in verse 25 and is the number that David later says he paid (2 Sam 3.14). The number two hundred suggests that David not only went about the task more quickly than Saul had required (verse 26), but also that he killed more Philistines than necessary.

Which were given in full number: literally “they completed them.” The precise meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain, though the general sense seems clear enough. These words translate a Hebrew verb meaning “to fill” or “to complete.” Here this verb is often rendered “he counted them out” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or, perhaps better, “he counted them out completely” (Klein).

In those languages where circumcision is not known, or where it is inappropriate to talk about it, the Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente translation may provide a model here, as also in verse 25. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “David, with his men, made an expedition against the Philistines and killed two hundred of them. David gave to Saul the proof of their death so that he might become his son-in-law.”

Become the king’s son-in-law: see the comments at verse 18.

Gave him his daughter: in the context of the whole story, Good News Translation takes this to mean “had to give his daughter.” Perhaps a more natural model for some languages is Contemporary English Version: “Saul agreed to let David marry Michal.”

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 .

Once again, in the context of this conversation between Jonathan and David, the verb said may be translated more dynamically as “answered” or “responded.”

Tomorrow is the new moon: the Hebrew has no verb here. It is supplied by Revised Standard Version. But in many languages the whole first sentence of David’s reply will have to be turned around to say something like “the new moon will appear tomorrow night” or “people will celebrate the festival of the new moon tomorrow night.”

The new moon: the Israelites held a religious ceremony on the night of each new moon, that is, the night on which the crescent moon first became visible again. Regulations for this celebration are found in Num 28.11-15. The festival continued during the next twenty-four hours, and work was forbidden during this time (Amos 8.5).

I should not fail to sit: literally “to sit I will sit.” This may be rendered in some languages as “I am certainly expected to sit down” or “I am definitely invited.” Fox says “when I must sit, yes, sit beside the king to eat.” On the translation of Hebrew reinforcing verbs, see page 20.

At table: literally “to eat.” The literal reading will be a more natural way to translate in some languages.

But let me go: literally “and you have sent me away.” This seems to be a way of asking Jonathan’s consent to the plan of action being proposed. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “but you will let me go,” and New Jerusalem Bible reads “but you must let me go.” Good News Translation attempts to convey this idea of asking for approval by beginning this part of David’s speech with the words “if it’s all right with you, I will go.”

The field: see the comments on 19.3.

The third day at evening: literally “until the evening the third.” Good News Translation and New International Version render this in more natural English as “the evening of the day after tomorrow.” The Septuagint lacks the word third. New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Osty-Trinquet are based on the Septuagint, saying only “until evening” (see also verse 12).

Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament considers the word “the third” of the Masoretic Text to be a later addition, inserted here on the basis of verses 12 and 19. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament therefore gives a {C} rating to the Septuagint and recommends that it be followed here.

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 .

Jonathan articulates three imperatives in succession. In Hebrew, the word Hurry is an adverb but functions as an imperative. These words are directed at the young boy who has gone after the arrows, but in fact they are meant to encourage David to leave as quickly as possible. If it is impossible to find three separate ways of saying the same thing in the receptor language, this may be reduced to two. But the cumulative effect of the three is important and if possible should be retained.

The arrows: the Hebrew text says “the arrow.” The scribal correction in the margin of the Masoretic Text reads “the arrows” (see verse 36). Since the record here indicates that only one arrow has been shot (verse 37), Good News Translation and New American Bible say “the arrow.” The introduction of the plural may perhaps be explained by the fact that verse 20 speaks of Jonathan’s planning to shoot three arrows.

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 .

Saul said to him: the verb “asked” will be more appropriate in some languages, especially because the question as posed in Revised Standard Version is long and quite complex. However, Good News Translation divides the question into two and turns the final clause into an exclamation.

The son of Jesse: see verse 7.

The word bread is taken in the general sense of “food” by Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Contemporary English Version. But since Ahimelech in fact gave David five loaves of bread in 21.1-10, it is probably better translated as bread in this passage.

To lie in wait: see the comments on verse 8. As in verse 8 above, the Septuagint says “as an enemy” instead of to lie in wait.

As at this day means simply “as he is now doing.”

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 .

And Saul and his men went to seek him: literally “And Saul went, and his men, to seek.” The Hebrew verb form places the focus more squarely on Saul, since the story is essentially one of confrontation between Saul and David.

David was told: literally “they told David.” The subject is not stated, and in some languages it will be necessary to follow the form of the Hebrew rather than that of Revised Standard Version. Others that wish to avoid the passive may say “someone told David.”

The rock: the Hebrew noun is the usual word for “rock” preceded by the definite article (so Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and New International Version). The exact meaning in this context, however, is not clear. Other translations include “a rocky hill” (Good News Translation), “the rocky region” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “a refuge in the rocks” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible call this a “gorge,” referring to the valley that runs through the desert of Maon. Most likely the definite article is used with the noun “rock” in anticipation of verse 28, where this same rock is called “the Rock of Escape.” In this case the reference is not to a large boulder but rather to a steep, rocky cliff.

Which is: this rendering is based on a suggested correction of the Hebrew text, with support from the Septuagint. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text. New Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew, saying “he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon.” Good News Translation also follows the traditional Hebrew text at this point.

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 .