The text does not say how David inquired of the LORD, but he probably consulted the priest Abiathar, who will have used the ephod. The same words as in verse 2 are used here, so the adverb again is important.

Answered him: literally “answered him and said.”

Arise: see the comment on this verb at 9.3. Translators will recall that it is not necessary to give the idea of getting up from a sitting position as in a literal translation.

Go down: the use of this verb seems to imply that traveling from Adullam to Keilah involved a decrease in altitude. Many modern English versions do not translate literally here—either because it is not natural or perhaps because of the actual geography involved.

I will give the Philistines into your hand: on the metaphorical use of hand as “power” or “control,” see 4.8. Some languages may prefer to translate “I will cause you to defeat the Philistines.”

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 .