Saul’s action of cutting up the two oxen (literally a yoke of oxen) and sending the pieces throughout the territory of Israel reminded the original readers of events in Judges 19.29. On the word yoke, see 6.7, but note that here it is not the instrument that is important. Rather it is the fact that there are two animals. In some languages the most natural way to refer to these animals will be to speak of “a pair of oxen” (La Bible du Semeur).

By the hand of messengers: literally “by the hand of the messengers.” The Hebrew idiom by the hand of is often used to express agency, that is, to indicate the agent by whom a particular action is carried out.

The presence of the Hebrew definite article before messengers seems to suggest that these messengers are the same messengers from Jabesh mentioned in verses 3 and 9. But since the messengers in verse 7 appear to be different from the messengers from Jabesh, many translations follow one important Greek manuscript that says “the hand of messengers” (so Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). It seems best here to follow the model of Revised Standard Version, though receptor languages will each have their own way of indicating that these messengers are not the same as those mentioned in verse 3. Some may say “some other messengers.”

After Saul and Samuel: some interpreters think that the words “and after Samuel” are a later addition to the text. Some translations (New Jerusalem Bible) omit and Samuel, and others place the words and Samuel within parentheses to indicate doubt about whether these words are original (so New American Bible, Anchor Bible). The preliminary report of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text here. It seems best, therefore, to include these words, following the principles of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project to translate the earliest attested text and not some hypothetical “original” text, one that has never been discovered.

The dread of the LORD fell upon the people: this expression sometimes refers to the great fear that God sends upon Israel’s enemies so that they fear to fight against Israel (see, for example, 2 Chr 17.10). Some understand the words of the LORD to express the source of the fear. Compare New Jerusalem Bible, which says “a panic from Yahweh swept on the people,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which states “Terror from the LORD fell upon the people.” In this interpretation God is the source of the fear, and Saul is the unstated object of the fear. Others, however, understand of the LORD as expressing the object of the fear. Compare New American Bible, “In dread of the LORD” (so also Good News Translation). Either interpretation is possible, though the first seems preferable.

As one man: this expression occurs often in the Old Testament to indicate that the people acted together in complete unity (for example, Judges 6.16; 20.1, 8, 11; 2 Sam 19.14). Some translate this “to a man” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible), meaning that every single man came out; but more likely the sense is that the people acted in a united manner. This meaning may be translated “they all came together as if they were one person” (New Century Version), or simply “they came together in absolute oneness.”

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 .