This verse is a summary statement of the preceding verses (see verses 14-15) rather than an addition of new information. It is connected to the preceding verses by the common conjunction waw. Moffatt says “The Philistine leaders used to make sallies….” Use of the expression “used to make” shows that this is a summary statement. Another possible way of indicating to the reader that this is a summary statement is to begin this verse “And so it was that the Philistine leaders….”

As often as they came out: that is, “every time they came to fight” or “each time they took the field” (New American Bible). Other translations use technical military terms such as “continued to make forays” (Revised English Bible) and “kept mounting their campaigns” (New Jerusalem Bible). The Hebrew says only that the Philistines came out. But this Hebrew verb is often used of “going out to battle.” In this context Revised Standard Version correctly supplies the words to battle. Some translations place the words “to battle” in brackets (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or in parentheses (Fox) to show that they are not written in the Hebrew, but such words provide implicit information, and translators do not need to use brackets or parentheses.

The princes of the Philistines: the English word “prince” refers to a son of a king. The Hebrew word here rendered princes, however, refers to military leaders. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “The Philistine chiefs” (so also New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible). A better translation is “the commanders of the Philistines” (New Revised Standard Version and similarly Revised English Bible). Compare the expression “lords of the Philistines” in 6.4.

All the servants of Saul: what is implied in this expression is “all the other servants [officers] of Saul.” Since David was certainly a servant of Saul at this time (see 16.21), the addition of the word “other” will be essential in some languages and highly recommended in others.

The servants: see the comments on 8.14.

The words so that indicate a relationship of cause and effect, although the Hebrew text has only the common conjunction. The result of David’s extraordinary victories was that he became increasingly well known and loved.

His name was highly esteemed: the verb means “to be valued,” “to be precious,” “to be honored.” In Hebrew thought, one’s name is an expression of one’s nature. The sense of these words is expressed in various ways in English: “his fame became very great” (New Revised Standard Version), “[he] acquired great fame” (New American Bible), and “His reputation soared” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew does not mean simply that everyone knew who David was, as the New International Version translation may suggest: “his name became well known.” This clause seems to be an intentional contrast with the words having the opposite meaning in verse 23.

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 .