The second person pronouns in verses 21-23 are all plural.

May you be blessed by the LORD: see the comments on 15.13. The passive formulation may easily be made active by saying “May the LORD bless you,” as in Good News Translation.

For: the transition word shows the relationship between the kindness of the people from Ziph and Saul’s desire to ask God’s blessing on them. Some languages may prefer to reverse the order of the two main elements in this verse, saying “You people have been very kind to me, so I ask that the LORD will bless you.”

The verb here rendered had compassion on is translated earlier in 1 Samuel by the English verb “to spare” (15.3, 9, 15) and carries the meaning “to be merciful toward” or “show kindness to.” Contemporary English Version translates “You’ve done me a big favor.”

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 .

The Hebrew also contains the particle of entreaty after the verb Go, but this is left untranslated in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Contemporary English Version attempts to translate this by using the word “please.”

Make yet more sure: literally “prepare again.” New International Version tries to retain the basic idea of the verb by translating “make further preparation.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is quite similar, “prepare further.” But the context shows that the additional effort requested by Saul has to do with finding out exactly where David is hiding.

His haunt: literally “his foot” in the sense of “the trace of his foot.” Moffatt translates rather colorfully “the spot where his fleeting foot rests.” La Bible du Semeur translates “his movements,” while Revised English Bible says “exactly where he is.”

Who has seen him: some have considered the grammar of the Masoretic Text to be in error. Following the Septuagint, they have changed the two Hebrew words rendered who has seen him into one word meaning “in haste.” New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible omit these words, considering them to have been added accidentally to the Hebrew text. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {C} rating to the MT.

It is told: literally “he tells me.” Others may translate “they tell me,” using the indefinite subject, or “people say.”

He is very cunning: literally “to be cunning, he is cunning.” Regarding the translation of reinforcing verbs, see page 20 and following. Languages have a wide variety of ways of representing the idea of craftiness expressed by the Hebrew verb used here. The term includes the notion of both prudence and deception. It is used elsewhere only in Psa 83.3 (“crafty plans”) and in Pro 15.5 and 19.25, where the idea of “prudence” is found in the Revised Standard Version translation.

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 .

See therefore, and take note: literally “and see and know.” But the two imperatives constitute a strong urging by Saul for the people of Ziph to “look around and learn” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version) or to “take careful note” (New Jerusalem Bible) of the different places where David was likely to hide.

Lurking places where he hides: although the Revised Standard Version rendering fails to show it, both the noun (literally “hiding places”) and the verb in this expression have the same root in Hebrew. Since it may be unnatural to be so repetitious in some languages, translators may prefer to say simply “the various places where he usually hides.”

With sure information: both here and in 26.4, where the same expression occurs, Revised English Bible says “at such and such a place,” but most understand this as a statement of certainty. New Jerusalem Bible translates “and come back to me when you are certain.” This expression consists of a preposition and a verbal form, the root of which means “to stand firm” or “to be stable.” Most understand the force to be that of an adverb expressing certainty.

According to verse 14 David was hiding in the Wilderness of Ziph in southern Judah. The Hebrew noun translated land sometimes refers to the whole earth, but in this context it refers to the “region” (Good News Translation, New American Bible) or the “country” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant) of Judah.

All the thousands of Judah: here as in 10.19 thousands probably refers to “clans.” Good News Translation turns the focus away from searching groups of people to searching the land itself. La Bible Pléiade says “among all the clans of Judah.” Another helpful model is Revised English Bible, “I shall hunt him down, if I have to go through all the clans of Judah one by one” (New International Version, Contemporary English Version, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible are similar). This understanding of the text seems preferable to that of Good News Translation.

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 .

The pronoun they refers to the inhabitants of Ziph. If there is any doubt that the reader will understand this, the pronoun may be replaced by a noun phrase as Contemporary English Version has done (“The people from Ziph”). It may also be more natural to translate the verb went by saying that they “returned” (Good News Translation) or “went back” to Ziph, since that is where they had come from.

Arose: see verse 4.

Maon: the town of Maon was located about thirteen and one-half kilometers (or eight and one-half miles) south of Hebron in southern Judah, on the western edge of the Wilderness of Judah. The area around it was called the wilderness of Maon.

The Arabah: that is, the rift valley of the Jordan River area, especially the dry land south of the Dead Sea. In Deut 1.1 and Josh 8.14, this term is translated “Jordan Valley” by Good News Translation. But in this context Good News Translation has simply “a desolate valley.” New Jerusalem Bible and Fox have “in the plain.” Translators must decide whether to use a transliterated word, as in Revised Standard Version, or to attempt a translation of the meaning of the term. Meaningful translation is preferred. Compare 2 Sam 2.29 and 4.7, where this word is also found.

South of Jeshimon: see the comments on verse 19.

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 .

Saul went on one side: the Septuagint says “Saul and his men” and is followed by New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet. For translation purposes the Septuagint may be followed here, since Saul certainly did not go alone.

The word rendered mountain is different from the word rendered “hill” in verse 19. The reference seems to be the “rock” mentioned in verse 25. Consistent with its translation “gorge” in verse 25, New American Bible says “As Saul moved along one rim of the gorge.”

And David was making haste: literally “And behold, David was making haste.” On the translation of “behold,” see page 18 and following. Here the focusing particle seems to highlight the haste with which David was moving in order to get away from Saul.

Were closing in upon David: the precise meaning of this verb is uncertain. All versions agree in general, however, that Saul and his men were somehow attempting to capture David and his men. Compare “were attempting to outflank David and his men” (New American Bible) or “were trying to cross over to David and his men’s side” (New Jerusalem Bible). Compare also Contemporary English Version, “were just about to capture David and his men.”

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 .

The verb come in the words of the messenger obviously means “return,” since Saul had just left Gibeah (see verse 19). In some languages there exists a single verb that will translate both the idea of hurrying (Make haste) and returning, similar to “hurry back” in English. Such a verb would be quite appropriate in this context.

The land refers to the “country” (New Jerusalem Bible) or territory over which Saul ruled as king, that is, the land of Israel. No doubt the messenger, like Saul, was an Israelite. For this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “the Philistines have invaded our territory.” If translators choose to follow this model, it will be necessary to use the inclusive first person plural pronoun in languages that have that form.

The direct quotation of this verse may be made into indirect discourse according to the following model:

• Suddenly a messenger came to Saul and told him to hurry back home, because the Philistines had attacked the land of Israel.

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 conjunction is appropriately translated in such a way as to show the logical relationship between the message Saul received and the interruption of his chasing after David.

That place, that is, the place where Saul had been chasing David (see verse 25).

Was called: literally “they called.” The passive form of Revised Standard Version, like the ambiguous third person plural pronoun in Hebrew, leaves open the question who originated this name. In languages where passive forms are not used, translators may prefer to state in vague terms “people began to call that place….” And in some cases a literal rendering of the Hebrew form may be satisfactory.

The Rock of Escape: the name in Hebrew is Sela-hammahlekoth (compare New International Version, which says “That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth”), but transliteration is not recommended. Sela in Hebrew means “rock” and is the same word as that translated “rock” in verse 25. The meaning of the last part of the Hebrew name is disputed, and the writer may have been using popular etymology. The context, however, suggests an intended meaning such as “Divisions,” “Escape” (New Revised Standard Version), “Uncertainty” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), or “Separations” (Good News Translation, La Bible du Semeur, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Revised English Bible says “the Dividing Rock,” and New American Bible “the Gorge of Divisions.”

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 .