Reference ID Tags SupportReference Quote Occurrence Note
front:intro z2ar 0 # Introduction to 1 Samuel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of 1 Samuel\n\n1. Samuel as judge over Israel (1:1–7:17)\n * Samuel as a child (1:1–3:21)\n * Shiloh priesthood; the fall and death of Eli the priest (4:1–22)\n * The ark of God and the war with the Philistines (5:1–6:21)\n * Mizpah; Samuel’s rule over Israel (7:1–17)\n1. Saul and Samuel (8:1–15:35)\n * Samuel lets the people seek a king (8:1–22)\n * Saul anointed king (9:1–10:27)\n * Battle and victory over the Ammonites (11:1–15)\n * Samuel’s farewell (12:1–25)\n * Saul’s weakness and failures (13:1–15:35)\n1. David and his conflicts with Saul (16:1–31:13)\n * God’s choice of David to be king (16:1–23)\n * David fights Goliath (17:1–58)\n * Saul’s jealousy of David; David and Jonathan (18:1–20:42)\n * David in the wilderness; David in Philistia (21:1–30:31)\n * Death of Saul (31:1–13)\n\n### What is the Book of 1 Samuel about?\n\nThe Book of 1 Samuel is about Samuel, Saul, and David. Samuel was the last of the judges over Israel. Saul was the first king of Israel. Much of the book is about how Saul became king, then how he later sinned against God and died. God chose David to be king after Saul. This book shows how God protected David when Saul tried to kill him.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nTranslators can use the traditional title “1 Samuel” or “First Samuel.” Or, translators may consider a clearer title such as “The First Book About Samuel, Saul, and David.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### What is the purpose of the Book of 1 Samuel?\n\nThe purpose of 1 Samuel is to give an account of the events leading up to David becoming king of Israel. In 1 Samuel, the twelve tribes of Israel unite under the first king of Israel, Saul. But Saul does not obey Yahweh’s commands. So God uses Samuel to choose David as a king who will trust and obey Yahweh.\n\n### Who wrote the Book of 1 Samuel?\n\nIt is uncertain who wrote 1 Samuel. It may have been someone alive soon after King Solomon died. When Solomon died, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms. The author probably lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. A descendant of David continued to rule over the southern kingdom. The author may have written 1 Samuel to defend David’s right to be king. This would prove that David’s descendant was the rightful king of God’s people.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### Who is “Yahweh’s anointed”?\n\nThe writer of 1 Samuel often speaks of “Yahweh’s anointed.” This refers to the one whom Yahweh chose to be the king of his people. Also, the phrase “Yahweh’s anointed” would make later readers think about the future descendant of David who would become king of God’s people. This person who Yahweh chose would be known as the Messiah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/anoint]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### What are curses, as found in 1 Samuel and elsewhere?\n\nA curse is a strong statement a person makes to cause bad things to happen to the person or thing being cursed. A curse usually has this pattern: “May God do so to you, and even more, if you hide anything from me of all the words that he spoke to you” (1 Sam. 3:17). Other instances of curses in 1 and 2 Samuel are found in 1 Sam 14:44; 20:13; 25:22; 2 Sam 3:9, 35; and 19:13. The translator should represent a curse in the project language in as strong a way as possible.\n\n### How is the name “Israel” used in the Bible?\n\nThe name “Israel” is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was the son of Isaac. God changed his name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/isra
1:intro cj3l 0 # 1 Samuel 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter introduces Samuel. It is the beginning of the section 1, Samuel chapters 1–7, which tell about Samuel, the religious leader of Israel.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Two wives\n\nThis was a common practice in the ancient Near East. It was against the law of Moses. The men of Israel would have sinned if they married more than one woman. This type of marriage always creates problems because of jealousy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/jealous]])\n\n### “Pay his vow”\nIt was customary for Israelites to promise God to make a sacrifice to him if God answered special prayers. Making such a sacrifice was called paying one’s vow. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idioms\n\nWhen Hannah wanted to assure Eli she was telling the truth, she used the idiom “as you live.” This is a type of oath formula meaning “I promise you I am telling the truth.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])\n\nThe author also uses the phrase “call to mind.” This is a common idiom meaning “remember.”
1:1 xa1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הָרָמָתַ֛יִם 1 This is the name of a small village possibly located eight kilometers northwest of Jerusalem.
1:1 mwm2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names צוֹפִ֖ים 1 The phrase **the Zuphites** refers to the people group that descended from Zuph.
1:1 hizk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶפְרָ֑יִם 1 Here, **Ephraim** refers to the land that was allotted to the people belonging to the Israelite tribe of Ephraim (see Joshua 16:1–9).
1:1 cjl8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶ֠לְקָנָה & יְרֹחָ֧ם & אֱלִיה֛וּא & תֹּ֥חוּ & צ֖וּף 1 These are the names of men.
1:1 x8xp rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶפְרָתִֽי 1 Here, **Ephraimite** refers to anyone living in the territory of Ephraim.
1:2 roc0 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְלוֹ֙ 1 The pronoun **him** refers to Elkanah.
1:2 g5tk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names חַנָּ֔ה & פְּנִנָּ֑ה 1 These are the names of two women.
1:3 zzb5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns הָאִ֨ישׁ הַה֤וּא 1 The word **that** in the phrase **that man** is a demonstrative pronoun which refers to Elkanah. Alternate translation: “the man Elkanah”
1:3 kws9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וְעָלָה֩ 1 Here, **went up** indicates that in order to reach Shiloh, Elkanah had to travel from a lower location to a higher location because Shiloh was located in a mountainous region.
1:3 j91i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִיָּמִ֣ים׀ יָמִ֔ימָה 1 The expression **days to days** is a Hebrew idiom. Alternate translation: “year by year” or “annually”
1:3 w8se rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עֵלִ֗י & חָפְנִי֙ & וּפִ֣נְחָ֔ס 1 These are the names of men.
1:4 emtw rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְנָתַ֞ן 1 Beginning here and continuing until the middle of verse 7, the author provides background information and explains what took place repeatedly year after year. The author does this to help readers better understand the story.
1:5 xq4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּלְחַנָּ֕ה 1 **Hannah** is a woman’s name. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 1:2](../01/02.md).
1:5 k5i7 מָנָ֥ה אַחַ֖ת אַפָּ֑יִם 1 The phrase, **one portion of two faces** could mean: (1) Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion. Alternate translation: “a double portion” (2) Elkanah gave Hannah especially desirable portions of meat. Alternate translation: “a special portion”
1:5 b7ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism סָגַ֥ר רַחְמָֽהּ 1 The phrase **shut her womb** is used figuratively to mean that Yahweh had not allowed Hannah to become pregnant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that would be most natural in your language. Alternative translation: “made her barren” or “prevented her from becoming pregnant”
1:5 cg80 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מָנָ֥ה 1 Here, **portion** refers to the portion of meat that God let the people eat from the animal which they sacrificed.
1:6 f5cg rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וְכִֽעֲסַ֤תָּה צָֽרָתָהּ֙ גַּם־כַּ֔עַס בַּעֲב֖וּר הַרְּעִמָ֑הּ 1 This means that Peninnah would intentionally seek ways to humiliate and mock Hannah so that she would feel emotionally disturbed and be greatly troubled in spirit. you could translate this in a way that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And Peninnah would intentionally provoke Hannah severely, for the purpose of hurting her feelings”
1:6 lrs0 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְכִֽעֲסַ֤תָּה צָֽרָתָהּ֙ גַּם־כַּ֔עַס 1 The word **provocation** is an abstract noun. If it would be more natural in your language you may translate this word using a verb phrase or adjective. Alternate translation: “And Peninnah would intentionally provoke Hannah severely”
1:6 mw8a צָֽרָתָהּ֙ 1 Here, **her rival** refers to Hannah’s rival Peninnah. It is probable that Elkanah took Peninnah as his second wife after Hannah was unable to bear children so that he could have offspring by Penninah. This would result in Hannah and Peninnah viewing each other as rivals. you could use a word or phrase that would be most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “his second wife” or “her co-wife”
1:6 gq73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile הַרְּעִמָ֑הּ 1 The phrase **cause her to thunder** is a figurative way of saying that Peninnah’s actions caused Hannah to be greatly irritated or troubled. The point of this comparison is that Peninnah would cause Hannah to be greatly bothered and disrupted in a way that is similar to the sky being disrupted to the point of thundering. you could communicate this in a way which would be most natural in your language.
1:6 wy2z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism בְּעַ֥ד רַחְמָֽהּ 1 The phrase **shut up her womb** is a used figuratively to mean that Yahweh had not allowed Hannah to become pregnant. You can use a phrase that would be most natural in your language.\nAlternative translation: “made her barren” or “prevented her from becoming pregnant”
1:7 bzk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go עֲלֹתָהּ֙ 1 Here, **went up** indicates that in order to reach Shiloh, Elkanah had to travel from a lower location to a higher location because Shiloh was located in a mountainous region. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 1:3](../01/03.md).
1:7 x38f rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עֲלֹתָהּ֙ 1 Here, **she** refers to Hannah.
1:8 nz4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָ֣מֶה תִבְכִּ֗י וְלָ֨מֶה֙ לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְלִ֔י וְלָ֖מֶה יֵרַ֣ע לְבָבֵ֑ךְ הֲל֤וֹא אָֽנֹכִי֙ ט֣וֹב לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲשָׂרָ֖ה בָּנִֽים 1 These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements, if it would be helpful in your language. Alternate translation: “you should not weep. You should eat, and your heart should be glad because I am better to you than ten sons!” or “you have little reason for sadness. I favor you and that should be enough.”
1:8 tt3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole הֲל֤וֹא אָֽנֹכִי֙ ט֣וֹב לָ֔ךְ מֵעֲשָׂרָ֖ה בָּנִֽים 1 Elkanah is intentionally exaggerating to emphasize what he wants Hannah to understand. Alternate translation: “Am I not better to you than any son could be”
1:9 kgv8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַתָּ֣קָם חַנָּ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֛י 1 Here, implicit information can be made explicit. This could mean: (1) Hannah’s tent was next to the tabernacle tent. (2) Hannah walked from her tent to the tabernacle to pray. Alternate translation: “Hannah rose up and went to the house of Yahweh to pray after”
1:9 hic6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְעֵלִ֣י 1 **Now** is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here, the author tells about a new person in the story. This person is the priest **Eli**.
1:9 qdl6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown הֵיכַ֥ל 1 Here, **the temple** was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is translated as **temple** here. You could use an equivalent word or phrase to describe **temple** in your language.
1:10 b85f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהִ֖יא מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל עַל־יְהוָ֖ה וּבָכֹ֥ה תִבְכֶּֽה 1 Hannah prayed to Yahweh because she was greatly grieved because she was not able to have any children and because Peninnah regularly ridiculed her. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly.
1:10 k0z1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ 1 The phrase **bitter of spirit** is a simile. The point of this comparison is that Hannah’s emotional state was very unpleasant and undesirable, comparable to the unpleasant experience of eating something very bitter tasting. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “was greatly distressed”
1:11 hzpb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַתִּדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר 1 The phrase **vowed a vow** is a way of saying that Hannah made a promise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “made a promise”
1:11 vqab rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations וַתֹּאמַ֗ר 1 Here, **and said** is introducing the authors quotation of Hannah’s prayer. Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “and this is what she prayed”
1:11 peh3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations יְהוָ֨ה צְבָא֜וֹת אִם־רָאֹ֥ה תִרְאֶ֣ה׀ בָּעֳנִ֣י אֲמָתֶ֗ךָ וּזְכַרְתַּ֨נִי֙ וְלֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח אֶת־אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְנָתַתָּ֥ה לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ זֶ֣רַע אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וּנְתַתִּ֤יו לַֽיהוָה֙ כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו וּמוֹרָ֖ה לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עַל־רֹאשֽׁוֹ 1 This portion is the authors quotation of Hannah’s prayer to Yahweh.
1:11 ri9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בָּעֳנִ֣י אֲמָתֶ֗ךָ 1 The abstract noun **affliction** can be translated as a verbal phrase. This could mean: (1) Hannah’s emotional suffering because she was unable to become pregnant. Alternate translation: “on how I am suffering because I cannot become pregnant” (2) Hannah’s emotional suffering because of Peninnah’s frequent insults and taunts. Alternate translation: “on how that woman is afflicting me”
1:11 ee3h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וּזְכַרְתַּ֨נִי֙ וְלֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח 1 These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine these two phrases. Alternate translation: “and indeed remember”
1:11 m3wr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וּזְכַרְתַּ֨נִי֙ וְלֹֽא־תִשְׁכַּ֣ח 1 Hannah does not actually think that Yahweh is unaware of her situation or has forgotten about it. Rather, this is an emphatic and urgent way of asking Yahweh to act on her behalf by answering her prayer for a son. Alternate translation: “and give heed to, and act on behalf of”
1:11 y3ce וּנְתַתִּ֤יו 1 This portion of Hannah’s prayer begins her promise to Yahweh. She tells Yahweh that if he gives her, her request for a son, she will dedicate the child to Yahweh all the days of his life and not give him a haircut. She begins her promise with the phrase **then I will give**. If your language has a specific way that it would introduce a promise in this context, you may consider using it here if it would be natural in your language. Alternative translation: “then I promise I will give him”
1:12 q3g7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כִּ֣י הִרְבְּתָ֔ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל 1 The phrase **increased to pray** is a Hebrew idiom. It means that Hannah was continuing in prayer, or making her prayers many. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying for a long time. Alternate translation: “when she continued praying”
1:12 ddxz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִפְנֵ֣י 1 The phrase **before the face of** is a Hebrew idiom. It is used to show that something takes place in front of or in the presence of someone or something else. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying in the presence of Yahweh. Use the term or phrase in your language that would most naturally communicate that something takes place in front of someone or in the presence of someone. Alternate translation: “in the presence of”
1:12 js4q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְעֵלִ֖י 1 **Eli** was the chief priest, so he was in the tabernacle of God and in charge of it.
1:13 ne47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal וְחַנָּ֗ה הִ֚יא מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת עַל־לִבָּ֔הּ רַ֚ק שְׂפָתֶ֣יהָ נָּע֔וֹת וְקוֹלָ֖הּ לֹ֣א יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֥הָ עֵלִ֖י לְשִׁכֹּרָֽה 1 If it would be misunderstood in you language, you could arrange the order of events in a way that is most natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Now Hannah was silently praying. And Eli assumed that she was drunk, because she was not making any sound, only her lips were moving”
1:13 sw9f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת עַל־לִבָּ֔הּ 1 Here, **heart** is used figuratively. Use the term or phrase that would be most natural in your language. If you do not have a figurative way to express this in your language you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. See UST.
1:14 m16w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion עַד־מָתַ֖י תִּשְׁתַּכָּרִ֑ין 1 Eli is stating this in the form of a question for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement or as an exclamation. See UST.
1:15 dcnb rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness אֲדֹנִ֔י 1 The phrase **my master** is a way of politely or respectfully addressing someone. If you have an equivalent term or phrase in your language, consider using that. Alternate translation: “my lord” or “sir”
1:15 qnz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom קְשַׁת־ר֨וּחַ֙ 1 The phrase **difficult of spirit** is a Hebrew idiom. Alternative translation: “troubled of spirit” or “very unhappy”
1:15 fzi6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וָאֶשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ אֶת־נַפְשִׁ֖י 1 The phrase **pouring out** refers to emptying the contents of what is inside something. Here it is used figuratively, and so the phrase **pouring out my soul** means telling Yahweh one’s troubles or deepest emotions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “but I have been telling my troubles” or “but I have been telling my deepest emotions”
1:15 irvy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִפְנֵ֥י 1 The phrase **before the face of** is a Hebrew idiom. It is used to show that something takes place in front of or in the presence of someone or something else. It is used here to show that Hannah was praying in the presence of Yahweh. Use the term or phrase in your language that would most naturally communicate that something takes place in front of someone or in the presence of someone. Alternate translation: “in the presence of”
1:16 a5rz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ 1 Hannah speaks of herself in the third person to show humility. If it would be helpful in your language, you may use a first person pronoun here. Alternate translation: “me”
1:16 wxf5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ 1 Here, Hannah calls herself Eli’s **female servant** as a humble way of showing respect. Hannah was not actually Eli’s servant. If you have an equivalent term or phrase in your language consider using it here if it would be natural.
1:16 lf9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns מֵרֹ֥ב שִׂיחִ֛י וְכַעְסִ֖י 1 Here, Hannah tells Eli why she is praying the way that she is. Hannah uses three abstract nouns, **abundance,** **complaint,* and **provocation.** If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate these using verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. Alternate translation: “because I am very troubled, and my rival has greatly provoked me”
1:18 sl27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person Let your servant find 0 Hannah speaks of herself in the second person to show respect for Eli, the head priest. This can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: “Let me, your servant, find” or “Let me find”
1:18 tu8x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy find favor in your eyes 0 Here “find favor” is an idiom that means be approved of or that he is pleased with her. Here the eyes are a metonym for sight, and seeing represents judging or deciding the value of something. Alternate translation: “evaluated me and approve” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
1:18 us1u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche ate; her face was 0 Here “her face” represents Hannah herself. You can make this a separate sentence, if needed. Alternate translation: “ate. She was” or “ate. People could see that she was”
1:19 rw2y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism Elkanah knew Hannah 0 This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah”
1:19 r2kg remembered her 0 God knew what was happening to Hannah; he had not forgotten her. See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 1:11](../01/11.md).
1:20 n484 Hannah conceived 0 Alternate translation: “Hannah became pregnant”
1:21 v7jy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his house 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. Alternate translation: “his family”
1:22 n9zg is weaned 0 stops drinking milk and starts eating only solid food
1:22 ui7y he may appear before Yahweh and live there forever 0 Hannah had promised God that she would allow Samuel to live and work with Eli the priest in the temple ([1 Samuel 1:11](../01/11.md)).
1:23 t6a9 nursed her son 0 Alternate translation: “gave her son milk”
1:26 r835 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula חֵ֥י נַפְשְׁךָ֖ 1 The phrase **As your spirit is alive** is an oath formula. If you have a term or phrase that would be most natural in your language to express an oath in this context, consider using that. Alternative translation:
1:26 lrs1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י 1 The phrase **Please, my master** is a respectful way of addressing someone of higher status. Use the term or phrase that would be most natural in your language for addressing someone of higher status in this context. If your language has a specific way that a woman would address a man of higher status consider using that. Alternate translation: “Please, sir”
1:27 m76r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns has given me my petition which I asked of him 0 The noun “petition” refers to a formal request for another person to do something. It can be translated with a verb. The idiom “to give a petition” means to do what the person requests. Alternate translation: “has agreed to do what I solemnly requested that he do” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
1:28 fp77 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he is lent to Yahweh 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I am loaning him to Yahweh”
1:28 f1d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he worshiped Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) “He” refers to Elkanah or (2) “he” is a synecdoche referring to both Elkanah and his family. Alternate translation: “Elkanah and his family”
2:intro fe7v 0 # 1 Samuel 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with Hannah’s poetic prayer in 2:1–10 .\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Hannah’s song of praise to God\n\nThis song is about how God protects the weak and strengthens them. He humbles the rich, provides for the poor, and defeats his enemies.\n\n### Eli’s Sons\n\nEli, the chief priest, had two sons. They were ungodly priests who continually sinned and did not honor God. Eli corrected them but they did not listen. A prophet warned Eli that God would stop his family from being priests and his sons would both die on the same day. At the same time, Samuel was growing up and serving God. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\nThis chapter has many figures of speech because the first part of the chapter is a song and the last part of the chapter is a prophecy. Songs and prophecy tend to have many figures of speech.\n\n### Synecdoches\n\n“My heart” and “my mouth” are synecdoches referencing the speaker. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])\n\n### Metonymies\n\nBody parts are often used to stand for activities involving that part of the body. “The feet of his faithful people” is a metonym meaning what they are doing or where they are going. Place names are often used for people in that place such as “the ends of the earth” meaning the people living in the ends of the earth. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n### Metaphors\n\nHannah used many military metaphors: “rock,” representing protection; “the bows of the mighty men are broken,” representing military defeat; “the horn of his anointed,” representing the power of the one that God has chosen to be king. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nGod used three rhetorical questions to correct and condemn Eli. “Did I not reveal myself to the house of your ancestor, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh’s house?” “Why then do you scorn my offerings that I required in the place where I live?” “Why do you honor your sons above me by making yourselves fat with the best of every offering of my people Israel?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
2:3 tzn5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive by him actions are weighed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he weighs people’s actions” or “he understands why people act as they do”
2:4 v82q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism 0 Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh.
2:4 rd1s The bow of the mighty men are broken 0 This could mean: (1) the bows themselves are broken or (2) the men who carry the bows are prevented from acting. Alternate translation: “Mighty bowmen are kept from acting”
2:4 re5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The bow of the mighty men are broken 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh breaks the bows of the mighty men” or “Yahweh can make even the strongest of people weak”
2:4 nr6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor those who stumble put on strength like a belt 0 This metaphor means they will no longer stumble, but their strength will remain with them as tightly as a belt. Alternate translation: “he will make those who stumble strong”
2:9 n8u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism 0 Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh.
2:9 qa5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy guard the feet of his faithful people 0 Here “feet” is a metonym for the way a person walks, which in turn is a metaphor for the way a person decides how to live his life. Alternate translation: “keep his faithful people from making foolish decisions” or “enable his faithful people to make wise decisions” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2:9 c576 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism the wicked will be put to silence in darkness 0 This polite way of saying that Yahweh will kill the wicked can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will put the wicked to silence in darkness” or “Yahweh will put the wicked in the dark and silent world of the dead”
2:9 tij9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the wicked will be put to silence 0 The words “be put to silence” are an idiom for “be made silent.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will make them silent” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:10 mph9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism 0 Hannah continues to recite a song to Yahweh.
2:10 k6zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Those who oppose Yahweh will be broken 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will break those who oppose him”
2:10 q5jv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom broken to pieces 0 This idiom means “defeated.”
2:10 zja3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the ends of the earth 0 This is an idiom that means everywhere. Alternate translation: “the whole earth”
2:10 ui4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor exalt the horn of his anointed 0 A horn is a symbol of strength. See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “he will make the leader he has chosen stronger than his enemies”
2:10 zv7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor his anointed 0 This speaks of the person that Yahweh chose and empowered for his purposes as if Yahweh had anointed the person with oil. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the one he has anointed” or “the one he has chosen” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:12 q8jj 0 # General Information:\n\nWhen people would offer animals as sacrifices, they would first burn the animal’s fat and then boil the meat and eat it.
2:12 xbf4 did not know Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “did not listen to Yahweh” or “did not obey Yahweh”
2:13 j81a custom 0 A custom is an action that people regularly do.
2:14 pa2z into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot 0 These are containers in which food could be cooked. If your language does not have separate words for these items it can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: “into whatever the people were cooking the meat in”
2:14 r3hj pan 0 a small metal container for boiling and cooking
2:14 ye8t kettle 0 a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking
2:14 y3g8 cauldron 0 a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking
2:15 q7b6 0 # General Information:\n\nWhen people would offer animals as sacrifices, they would first burn the animal’s fat and then boil the meat, give some to the priest, and eat the rest.
2:15 j2my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit they burned 0 The person who actually did the burning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the man who was sacrificing took his sacrifice to the priests and the priests burned”
2:15 f4np Give meat to roast for the priest 0 Alternate translation: “Give me some meat so I can give it to the priest so he can roast it”
2:15 a5aa roast 0 cook over a fire
2:15 c19i boiled 0 cooked in water
2:15 y5r2 raw 0 not cooked
2:17 yx43 despised Yahweh’s offering 0 The young men did not like Yahweh’s instructions regarding the offering and paid no attention to them.
2:20 tc3y because of the request she made of Yahweh 0 Hannah had asked Yahweh for a baby and promised him that she would give the baby to serve in the temple.
2:21 k1xe before Yahweh 0 This means where Yahweh could see him and Samuel could learn about Yahweh.
2:22 lbj3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism they were lying with the women 0 This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “they were having sexual relations with the women”
2:23 tv62 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why do you do such things? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is terrible that you do such things!”
2:25 lkz7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion who will speak for him? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “there is certainly no one who can speak for him.”
2:25 cvx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche the voice of their father 0 Here the father’s “voice” represents the father. Alternate translation: “their father” or “what their father said”
2:27 r882 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did I not reveal myself … house? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that I revealed myself … house.”
2:27 k8sr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of your ancestor 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. Alternate translation: “the family of your ancestor”
2:28 vv14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to wear an ephod before me 0 The words “wear an ephod” are a metonym for the work of the priests who wear the ephod. Alternate translation: “to do what I had commanded the priests to do”
2:29 rx55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why, then, do you scorn my sacrifices … live? 0 This rhetorical question is a rebuke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not scorn my sacrifices … where I live.”
2:29 ai4j the place where I live 0 Alternate translation: “the place where my people bring offerings to me”
2:29 en93 making yourselves fat with the best of every offering 0 The best part of the offering was to be burned up as an offering to Yahweh, but the priests were eating it.
2:30 b5d5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of your ancestor 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the people who lived in the house. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 2:27](../02/27.md). Alternate translation: “the family of your ancestor”
2:30 url1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom should walk before me 0 This is an idiom that means “live in obedience to me.”
2:30 hd3e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony those who despise me will be lightly esteemed 0 The words “lightly esteemed” is an ironic euphemism for “greatly despised.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will lightly esteem those who despise me” or “I will greatly despise those who despise me” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:31 h1ax rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house 0 The words “cut off … strength” are probably a euphemism for the death of strong, young men; the words “your father’s house” are a metonym for “your family.” Alternate translation: “I will kill you and all strong, young male descendants in your family” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2:35 vaw9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will raise up … a faithful priest 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I will cause a man to become priest”
2:35 i1g2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom for myself 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to serve me”
2:35 bg77 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will build him a sure house 0 Here “house” is an idiom used for “descendants.” Alternate translation: “I will ensure that he always has a descendant who serves as high priest”
2:36 y912 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche so I can eat a piece of bread 0 Here “piece of bread” is used for “food. “Alternate translation: “so I can have something to eat”
3:intro riy2 0 # 1 Samuel 3 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### God speaks to Samuel\n\nGod spoke at night to Samuel when he was a small boy, telling him that he would punish Eli’s family. As Samuel grew up, God gave him many messages. People came from all over Israel to find out what God had to say.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Metonymy\n\nIn order to show respect when talking to God, Samuel calls himself “your servant” when referring to himself. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n### Idioms\n\nOne characteristic of prophecy is the use of figures of speech. In this passage there are two idioms: “ears will shake,” meaning “will shock everyone who hears” and “carry out,” meaning “do.” (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])\n\nIn order to be sure Samuel would tell him the whole truth, Eli used the standard formula for a curse: “may God do to you, and even more, if,” meaning “God will punish severely if the person does what the curse says he will do.” (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/curse]])
3:1 w5tu Yahweh’s word was rare 0 Alternate translation: “Yahweh did not often speak to people”
3:3 vl1e The lamp of God 0 This is the seven-candle lampstand in the holy place of the tabernacle that burned every day and through the night until it was empty.
3:3 vv3t the temple of Yahweh 0 The “temple” was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is best to translate the word as “temple” here. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 1:9](../01/09.md).
3:6 mt8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Eli was not Samuel’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were Samuel’s father to show Samuel that he is not angry but that Samuel needs to listen to him.
3:7 s4pa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive nor had any message from Yahweh ever been revealed to him 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “nor had Yahweh ever revealed any message to him” or “and Yahweh had never revealed any message to him”
3:9 m2t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant is 0 Eli tells Samuel to speak to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person so that Samuel would show respect to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I am”
3:10 tcr3 Yahweh came and stood 0 This could mean: (1) Yahweh actually appeared and stood before Samuel or (2) Yahweh made his presence known to Samuel.
3:10 z33m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant is 0 Samuel speaks to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person to show respect to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I am”
3:11 huj9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom at which the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle 0 Here “ears … will tingle” is an idiom that means everyone will be shocked by what they hear. Alternate translation: “that will shock everyone who hears it”
3:11 z6qj tingle 0 This means to feel like someone is gently poking with small, sharp objects, usually because of the cold or because someone has slapped that body part with their hand.
3:12 z75y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism from beginning to end 0 This is a merism for completeness. Alternate translation: “absolutely everything”
3:14 x5qu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the sins of his house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “there is no sacrifice or offering that anyone can offer that will atone for the sins of his house”
3:16 p47b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Eli was not Samuel’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were Samuel’s father to show Samuel that he is not angry but that Samuel needs to answer him. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 1:6](../01/06.md).
3:17 s4uq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom May God do so to you, and even more 0 This is an idiom to emphasize how serious Eli is. Alternate translation: “May God punish you the same way he said he will punish me, and even more”
3:19 rz12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he let none of his prophetic words fall to the ground 0 Here messages that do not come true are spoken of as if they fell to the ground. This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “he made all the things he prophesied happen” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
3:20 q8cs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism from Dan to Beersheba 0 This is a merism for “in every part of the land.” Alternate translation: “from one end of the land to the other” or “from Dan in the very north to Beersheba in the very south”
3:20 v6xm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Samuel was appointed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh had appointed”
4:intro a7dh 0 # 1 Samuel 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### The Ark of the Covenant in Philistine country\n\nThis chapter begins a new section on the Ark and the Philistines. It recounts two battles between Israel and the Philistines. In both battles, Israel was badly defeated and, in the second, the Ark was captured.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The Ark is captured\n\nThe Philistine army invaded Israel, and Israel’s army went to fight them but was defeated. Israel decided that if they took the Ark into the next battle, God would cause them to win. When Eli’s sons took the Ark into the next battle and the Philistines won the battle, they killed Eli’s two sons and captured the Ark. When Eli heard the Ark was captured, he fell over, broke his neck, and died. Hearing this news, his daughter-in-law named her baby “the glory has departed.”\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical Question\n\nThe Philistines expressed their fear using a rhetorical question: “Who will protect us from the strength of this mighty God?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
4:1 ahq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ebenezer … Aphek 0 These are the names of places.
4:2 in3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Philistines defeated the Israelites and killed”
4:2 c78l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers about four thousand men 0 Here the number four thousand is a round number. There may have been a few more than that or a few less than that. The word “about” shows that it is not an exact number. Alternate translation: “about 4,000 men”
4:3 d9z9 Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring … enemies 0 The elders truly did not know why Yahweh had defeated them, but they wrongly thought they knew how to make sure it did not happen again, by bringing the ark to be with them.
4:4 s4ks rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit who sits above the cherubim 0 You may need to make explicit that the cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh’s footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. Alternate translation: “who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant”
4:5 ym2q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp 0 “When the people carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh into the camp” Some languages may need to add understood information to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: “The people, along with Hophni and Phinehas, picked up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and carried it into the camp. When the people carried the ark into the camp”
4:7 hw97 they said … They said 0 “they said to themselves … They said to each other” or “they said to each other … They said to each other.” The second clause clearly refers to what the Philistines said to each other. The first clause probably refers to what they thought, though it could also refer to what they said to each other. If possible, avoid stating who was spoken to.
4:7 n37y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns A god has come 0 The Philistines worshiped many gods, so they probably believed that one of those gods, or one whom they did not worship, had come into the camp. Another possible meaning is that they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel: “Yahweh has come.” Because 4:8 speaks of “gods,” some translations read, “Gods have come,” that is, “It is gods who have come.”
4:8 xaq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who will protect us from the strength of these mighty gods? 0 This rhetorical question is an expression of deep fear. It can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no one who can protect us from these mighty gods.”
4:8 rx6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns these mighty gods … the gods who attacked 0 Because the word “god” (or “God”) in 4:7 is singular, many translations read “this mighty god … the god who attacked,” referring to any one of many possible gods, or “this mighty God … the God who attacked,” using the proper name of the God of Israel.
4:9 b9tg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom be men 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “be strong and fight”
4:10 bt9k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Israel was defeated 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, “Israel” refers to the army of Israel. Alternate translation: “they defeated the army of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
4:11 s6sx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The ark of God was taken 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Philistines also took the ark of God”
4:13 tx5e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom his heart trembled with concern 0 This is an idiom which means he was very fearful or terribly concerned about something.
4:13 l3my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the whole city 0 This is a metonym for “all the people in the city.”
4:16 c94p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Eli was not the other man’s true father. Eli speaks as if he were the man’s father to show the man that he is not angry but that the man needs to answer him.
4:17 knm8 Also, there has been … people. Also, your two sons 0 Alternate translation: “I will now tell you something worse … I will now tell you something worse” or “Not only has there been … people, but your two sons”
4:17 b1fy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the ark of God has been taken 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Philistines have taken the ark of God”
4:18 gqt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive His neck was broken 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “His neck broke because he fell” or “He broke his neck when he fell”
4:19 px5m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the ark of God was captured 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Philistines had captured the ark of God”
4:21 eja5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ichabod 0 The name is actually a phrase that means “no glory.” The name of a person sometimes reveals information about the person, place, or thing it refers to.
4:21 b2am rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive for the ark of God had been captured 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for the Philistines had captured the ark of God”
4:22 pea3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the ark of God has been captured 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “because the Philistines have captured the ark of God”
5:intro qnq6 0 # 1 Samuel 5 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe story of the Ark of the Covenant in Philistia continues.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The Ark in the Philistine Cities\n\nThe Philistines took the Ark of God to Ashdod and put it in their idol temple, but their idol fell down in front of the Ark and the people got sick with bubonic plague. They took it to Gath next, and the people of Gath began dying of the plague. When they took the Ark to Ekron, the people of Ekron were afraid of it too and did not want it there. Finally they decided to send it back to Israel. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idioms\n\nThere are two slightly different idioms used in the same way: the “hand was heavy” and the “hand was hard.” Both idioms mean “was severely punished.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5:1 r22j Now 0 This word marks the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a word or phrase that does the same, you could use it here.
5:1 j9ri ark of God 0 See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 3:3](../03/03.md). This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in [1 Samuel 4:3](../04/03.md).
5:2 ibj1 house of Dagon 0 This refers to the temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistines.
5:3 fn9x behold, Dagon 0 Alternate translation: “they were very surprised to see that Dagon”
5:3 z1gy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground 0 The reader should understand that Yahweh had caused the statue to fall on its face during the night.
5:4 jsj6 Dagon had fallen 0 The reader should understand that Yahweh had caused Dagon to fall.
5:4 fww1 The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off 0 It was as if Yahweh were a soldier who had defeated his enemy and cut off the enemy’s head and hands.
5:5 l4ma rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background This is why, even today 0 The writer is about to give some background information separate from the main story.
5:6 uhg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy both Ashdod and its territories 0 The name of the town is a metonym for the people living in the town. “both the people of Ashdod and the people in the land surrounding Ashdod”
5:7 y9dm the men of Ashdod realized 0 Alternate translation: “the men of Ashdod understood”
5:7 l6t8 ark of the God of Israel 0 See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 3:3](../03/03.md). This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in [1 Samuel 4:3](../04/03.md).
5:9 b7z1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yahweh’s hand was against 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Yahweh punished”
5:9 buz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism both small and great 0 This could mean: (1) this is a merism that refers to age. Alternate translation: “men of all ages” or (2) this is a merism that refers social class. Alternate translation: “from the poorest and weakest men to the richest and most powerful men”
5:11 cb8i the ark of the God of Israel 0 See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 3:3](../03/03.md). This is the a same as the “ark of the covenant of Yahweh” in [1 Samuel 4:3](../04/03.md).
5:11 s7pb the God of Israel 0 This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:7](../05/07.md).
5:11 se4g there was a deathly panic throughout the city 0 Alternate translation: “people all over the city were afraid that they were going to die”
5:11 vn4h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of God was very heavy there 0 The hand is a metonym for God punishing the people. “Yahweh was punishing the people there very severely”
5:12 djg2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The men who did not die 0 This implies that many men actually died.
5:12 u8uu tumors 0 This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:6](../05/06.md).
5:12 vm1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the cry of the city went up to the heavens 0 The word “city” is a metonym for the people of the city. This could mean: (1) the words “went up to the heavens” is an idiom for “was very great.” Alternate translation: “the people of the city cried out very loudly” or (2) the words “the heavens” is a metonym for the people’s gods. Alternate translation: “the people of the city cried out to their gods” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
6:intro z9kg 0 # 1 Samuel 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter ends the story of the Ark of the Covenant among the Philistines.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The Philistines send the Ark back to Israel\n\nThe Philistine leaders asked their priests what they should do with the Ark. The priests said to send it off with an offering. The Philistines put the Ark on a cart drawn by cows and let them go wherever they wanted to go. The cows went straight toward Israel. When some people peeked into the Ark, God killed them. Because of this, the people sent the Ark to Kiriath Jearim.
6:2 rk4s the priests and the diviners 0 These were pagan priests and diviners who worshiped Dagon.
6:2 nd2k Tell us how we should send it 0 The Philistines wanted to know how to get rid of the ark without angering Yahweh any further.
6:3 gg7q the God of Israel 0 This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:7](../05/07.md).
6:3 nl22 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom by all means send him a guilt offering 0 The words “by all means” are a forceful way of saying something. Alternate translation: “you must send a guilt offering”
6:3 r6j5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you you 0 The pronoun “you” is plural, referring to all of the Philistines.
6:3 g77h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy why his hand has not been lifted off of you 0 Here “hand” is a metonym used to represent God’s power to afflict or discipline. Alternate translation: “why he has not relieved your suffering”
6:4 ej9d tumors 0 This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:6](../05/06.md).
6:4 kn78 mice 0 more than one mouse
6:5 b9t4 models 0 A model is something that looks like a real thing.
6:5 jv13 tumors 0 This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:6](../05/06.md).
6:5 n47l that ravage 0 Alternate translation: “that are destroying”
6:5 fu6m the God of Israel 0 This could mean: (1) they were speaking the proper name of the God of Israel or (2) they believed that Israel worshiped one of many gods, “the god of Israel.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:7](../05/07.md).
6:5 yp97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land 0 Here “hand” is a metonym used to represent God’s power to afflict or discipline. Alternate translation: “stop punishing you, your gods and your land”
6:6 ix9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? 0 The priests and diviners use a rhetorical question to urge the Philistines to think very seriously about what will happen if they refuse to obey God. This can be translated as a warning. Alternate translation: “Do not be stubborn like the Egyptians and Pharaoh were!”
6:6 txz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom harden your hearts 0 This is an idiom that means to be stubborn or unwilling to obey God. Alternate translation: “refuse to obey God”
6:6 qg9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion did not the Egyptians send away the people, and they left? 0 This is another rhetorical question used to remind the Philistines how the Egyptians finally sent the Israelites out of Egypt so that God would stop afflicting the Egyptians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “remember that the Egyptians sent the Israelites out of Egypt.”
6:9 n756 if it goes … to Beth Shemesh, then it is Yahweh 0 It is unlikely that the cows would choose to wander to Beth Shemesh when their calves are back in the Philistine area.
6:10 vqs4 two nursing cows 0 “two cows that have calves that are still drinking milk” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 6:7](../06/07.md).
6:11 l2qq mice 0 Translated this as in [1 Samuel 6:4](../06/04.md).
6:11 hg4l castings of their tumors 0 Alternate translation: “models of their tumors”
6:11 h2re tumors 0 This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:6](../05/06.md).
6:12 d3ub The cows went straight in the direction of Beth Shemesh 0 Nursing cows would normally return to their calves, but these cows went to Beth Shemesh.
6:12 iv94 lowing as they went 0 Lowing is the noise cows make with their voices.
6:12 kpn8 they did not turn aside either to the right or to the left 0 Alternate translation: “they did not wander off of the highway.” This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “they stayed on the highway” or “they went straight ahead”
6:13 ha2r Now 0 The writer is introducing a new part of the story. If your language has a way of marking the beginning of a new part of the story, you could use it here.
6:13 teg5 people of Beth Shemesh 0 These were Israelites.
6:14 dx59 A great stone was there 0 The people used this stone as an altar when they offered the cows as sacrifices.
6:15 u7kn The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh 0 This actually happened before they chopped the cart into firewood to use in offering the cows to Yahweh.
6:15 km1p The Levites took down the ark 0 According to the law of Moses, only the Levites were permitted to handle the ark.
6:15 lq8f the box that was with it, where the golden figures were 0 Alternate translation: “the box containing the gold models of the rats and the tumors”
6:16 ke9z the five rulers of the Philistines 0 Alternate translation: “the five Philistine kings”
6:17 rf99 tumors 0 This could mean: (1) painful swelling under the skin or (2) hemorrhoids. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 5:6](../05/06.md).
6:18 vv5i mice 0 Translated this as in [1 Samuel 6:4](../06/04.md).
6:18 j566 fortified cities 0 These are cities with high walls around them to protect the people inside from attack by their enemies.
6:18 jy47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification The great stone … remains a witness 0 The stone is referred to as if it is a person who can see. Alternate translation: “The great stone … is still there, and people remember what happened on it”
6:18 z1wl rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Joshua 0 This is a man’s name.
6:18 i2ln rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the Bethshemite 0 This is what a person from Beth Shemesh is called. Alternate translation: “from Beth Shemesh”
6:18 ksv7 to this day 0 to the time at which the writer wrote the book
6:19 gl4f they had looked into the ark 0 The ark was so holy that no one was permitted to look inside it. Only the priests were allowed to even see the ark.
6:19 vv74 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 50,070 men 0 “fifty thousand and seventy men”
6:20 zwk1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? 0 This could mean: (1) this is a rhetorical question that expresses the people’s fear of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “There is no one who can resist Yahweh because he is so holy!” or (2) this is a question asking for information. The phrase “stand before Yahweh” may refer to priests who serve Yahweh. It is implied that the people were looking for a priest whom Yahweh would permit to handle the ark. Alternate translation: “Is there a priest among us who serves this holy God, Yahweh, and is able to handle this ark?” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
6:20 bc1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit To whom will the ark go up from us? 0 This is a question asking for information. It is implied that the people want Yahweh and the ark to go somewhere else so he will not punish them again. Alternate translation: “Where can we send this ark so that Yahweh will not punish us again?”
6:21 n5gr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kiriath Jearim 0 This was a town in Israel.
7:intro hd2a 0 # 1 Samuel 7 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter completes the section on Samuel leading Israel.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Israel begins to worship Yahweh again\n\nSamuel told the people to get rid of all their idols and worship Yahweh alone. The people were obedient. When the Philistines heard the Israelites were all gathered together, the Philistines attacked, but God defeated them. There was a time of peace during which Samuel settled disputes between the people as the judges had done before.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idioms\n\nWhenever Samuel spoke to a group of people, he used many idioms: “to turn to” means “to worship”; “with your whole heart” means “completely”; and “rescue from the hand” means “rescued from the power.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
7:1 vxi4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kiriath Jearim 0 This is the name of a place.
7:1 uf4m rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abinadab … Eleazar 0 These are the names of men.
7:2 kwf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty years 0 “20 years”
7:3 iz8m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the entire house of Israel 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the people who live in the house and their descendants. Alternate translation: “all of the descendants of Israel” or “all of the Israelite people”
7:3 yb5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom return to Yahweh with your whole heart 0 Here “with your whole heart” is an idiom that means to be completely devoted to something. Alternate translation: “become completely devoted to worshiping and obeying Yahweh only”
7:6 a817 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit drew water and poured it out before Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) the people denied themselves water as part of fasting or (2) they got water out of a stream or well and poured it on the ground as an outward sign of being sorry for their sin.
7:7 ey3d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the rulers of the Philistines attacked Israel 0 It can be stated plainly that it was the army and not the rulers by themselves who attacked Israel. Alternate translation: “the Philistine rulers led their army and attacked Israel”
7:8 n5ch rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy save us from the hand of the Philistines 0 The “hand” is a metonym for the power of the person. Alternate translation: “save us from the Philistine army” or “keep the Philistine army from harming us”
7:10 k1nw As Samuel … they were routed before Israel 0 This begins to explain what the writer means by “Yahweh answered him” in ([1 Samuel 7:9](../07/09.md)).
7:10 cd8j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom threw them into confusion 0 The word “confusion” here is used as a casual way of saying the Philistines were unable to think clearly. Alternate translation: “made them unable to think clearly”
7:10 k6pl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive they were routed before Israel 0 This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) “Yahweh routed them before Israel” or (2) “Israel routed them”
7:12 wsp2 took a stone and set it 0 The Israelites and other peoples in that land would place a large stone where important events had happened as a reminder of God’s help.
7:13 tts1 So the Philistines were subdued 0 The writer has just finished telling how the Philistines were subdued. If your language has a way of marking the end of a description, you could use it here.
7:13 xt6p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the Philistines were subdued 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh subdued the Philistines” or “Yahweh kept the Philistines from causing harm”
7:13 lb3d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “Yahweh used his power against the Philistines”
7:14 li9a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The towns … from Israel were restored to Israel 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) Here “Israel” refers to the “land” of Israel. “Yahweh restored to the land of Israel the towns … from Israel” or (2) “Israel” is a metonym for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel were able to reclaim the towns … from Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
8:intro ek6j 0 # 1 Samuel 8 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### Saul and Samuel\n\nThe section including chapters 8–16 begins a new part of the story. The people wanted a king, and God chose Saul, the man the people wanted, to be their king. He was not the king Yahweh wanted.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The people want a king\n\nWhen Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges. They were corrupt and took bribes, so the people came and asked Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel asked God, who gave them a king but warned them what a king would be like. Despite Samuel’s warning that a king would oppress them, the people still wanted a king. This was sinful because they were rejecting God as their king. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/appoint]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
8:3 d1qv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor chased after dishonest gain 0 The writer speaks of money that people would give Samuel’s sons as if it were a person or animal running away from Samuel’s sons, and he speaks of Samuel’s sons as if they were physically chasing that person or animal. Alternate translation: “they worked hard to gain money by being dishonest”
8:5 rx69 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom do not walk in your ways 0 The way a person lives is spoken of as walking on a path. Alternate translation: “do not do the things you do” or “do not do what is just the way you do”
8:5 qj8f Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations 0 This could mean: (1) “Appoint for us a king like the kings of all the nations so that he can judge us” or (2) “Appoint for us a king who will judge us the way the kings of the nations judge them”
8:5 jwe4 Appoint for us a king to judge us 0 The leaders wrongly believed that a king, and his sons after him, would rule justly.
8:6 z6je But it displeased Samuel … Give us a king to judge us 0 Samuel was unhappy that the people did not just want him to remove his corrupt sons and to appoint honest judges, but they wanted a king to rule over them like other countries had.
8:7 lz95 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Obey the voice of the people 0 Here “the voice” is a metonym for the will or the desire of the people. Alternate translation: “Do what the people say”
8:11 ah6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **practice**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “This is how the king who will reign over you will act” or “This is what the king who will reign over you will do”
8:15 bsk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction a tenth of your grain 0 They will have to divide their grain into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants.
8:15 l9c7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction a tenth … of your vineyards 0 They will have to divide the wine that they produce in their vineyards into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants.
8:17 yl2b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction the tenth of your flocks 0 They will have to divide their flocks into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king’s officers and servants. See how you translated “tenth” in [1 Samuel 8:15](../08/15.md).
8:17 t81y you will be his slaves 0 Alternate translation: “you will feel as if you are his slaves”
8:18 l9mn you will cry out 0 This could mean: (1) the people will ask Yahweh to rescue them from the king or (2) the people will ask the king to stop treating them so badly .
8:21 mk43 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he repeated them in the ears of Yahweh 0 Here “the ears of Yahweh” refers to Yahweh. Samuel prayed to Yahweh repeating all that the people said. Alternate translation: “he repeated them to Yahweh”
8:22 d8pw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Obey their voice 0 Here the metonym “their voice” refers to the will of the people. Alternate translation: “Obey the people”
8:22 s4b6 cause someone to be king for them 0 “make someone king over them.” Use the common term in your language for making someone king.
8:22 vjc2 go to his own city 0 Alternate translation: “go home”
9:intro kus3 0 # 1 Samuel 9 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Samuel chooses Saul to be their king\n\nWhen the donkeys of Saul’s father strayed away, Saul went looking for them. When he could not find them, he asked Samuel to ask God where they were. Samuel said the donkeys had been found. He invited Saul as the guest of honor to a feast and gave him a place to sleep for the night.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nSaul uses two rhetorical questions to convince Samuel he is not important: “Am not I a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
9:1 y487 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background 0 # General Information:\n\nIf your language has a way of telling the reader that the writer is giving background information in these verses, you could use it here.
9:4 z5qc rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the hill country of Ephraim … the land of Shalishah … the land of Shaalim … the land of the Benjamites 0 These are all areas in Israel.
9:6 vuh9 man of God 0 This phrase usually means a prophet of Yahweh. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 2:27](../02/27.md). Alternate translation: “a man who hears and tells words from God”
9:6 bwk4 which way we should go on our journey 0 Alternate translation: “which way we should go to find the donkeys”
9:7 mr9g what can we bring the man? 0 Giving a gift is a sign of respect for the man of God.
9:7 mnj1 man of God 0 This phrase usually means a prophet of Yahweh. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 2:27](../02/27.md). Alternate translation: “a man who hears and tells words from God”
9:8 hwa8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney one-fourth of a shekel 0 “1/4 of a shekel.” A shekel is a type of money used in the Old Testament. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
9:9 d7ht rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Formerly in Israel … seer 0 This is cultural information added by the Hebrew author. If it is not natural in your language to state this information here, it can be moved to the end of verse 11.
9:9 ejv4 For today’s prophet was formerly called a seer 0 Alternate translation: “Seer is the old name for what we call a prophet today”
9:12 lk9k the people are sacrificing today 0 These are likely the feast or first-fruit sacrifices, not the sin sacrifices, which must be held at the tabernacle.
9:14 uw7s to go up to the high place 0 This is a place that the people had designated as holy to make sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. The writer writes as though it were outside the wall that was around the city.
9:15 uxs4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background 0 # General Information:\n\nThe writer stops telling the story and gives background information so the reader can understand what happens next.
9:16 gzr8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism you will anoint him to be prince 0 The term prince is used here instead of king. This is the man whom God has chosen to be king of Israel.
9:16 d7jm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the hand of the Philistines 0 Here the word “hand” is a metonym for control. Alternate translation: “from the control of the Philistines” or “so the Philistines will no longer control them”
9:20 fdy4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Then on whom are all the desires of Israel set? Is it not on you and all your father’s house? 0 These questions are an expression of deep conviction that Saul is the one whom Yahweh wants to be the king that the Israelites are looking for. The questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “You should know that it is on you that all the desires of Israel are set. They are set on you and your father’s family.”
9:21 z2ng rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Am not I a Benjamite … of Israel? Is not my clan … Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this manner? 0 Saul is expressing surprise because Benjamin was the smallest tribe in Israel, and other Israelites considered the tribe unimportant. Also, Benjamites considered the clan of which Saul was a member as unimportant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind these questions as statements. Alternate translation: “I am from the tribe of Benjamin, the least important of all tribes. And my clan is the least important clan in our tribe. I do not understand why you are saying that the Israelite people want me and my family to do something important.”
9:22 wn3v the hall 0 The writer assumes that the reader knows that near the place where they would offer sacrifices there was a large building in which people would eat together.
9:24 s46f what was on it 0 This could mean: (1) the other food that Saul was to eat along with the meat or (2) other parts of the bull.
9:24 v2sc Then Samuel said 0 In the original language it is not clear who is speaking. It is possible that the cook is speaking to Saul. Alternate translation: “Then the cook said”
9:25 i36v on the rooftop 0 This is a normal place for family and guests to eat, visit, and sleep. It tends to be cooler in the evening and at night than the inside of the house.
9:26 r8sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Samuel called to Saul on the rooftop and said 0 What Saul was doing on the rooftop can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “while Saul was sleeping on the rooftop, Samuel called to him and said”
9:27 yp6k ahead of us”—and he went ahead—”but you must stay 0 It is possible that Samuel speaks all of these words. Alternate translation: “ahead of us, and when he has gone ahead, you must stay”
9:27 e7zg that I may announce the message of God to you 0 Alternate translation: “so that I can tell you God’s message for you”
10:intro abca 0 # 1 Samuel 10 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis is the first chapter about King Saul.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Saul as the New King\n\nSamuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be king, and on the way home he would meet some prophets. Saul would then begin prophesying and God would give him the Holy Spirit to help him to know what to do. Samuel told everyone to come to Mizpah where he announced that God had chosen Saul to be their king. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nThis chapter uses rhetorical questions to express different ideas: to state a fact (“Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance?”), to express surprise (“And who is their father?”), to say he is someone very special (“Do you see the man that Yahweh has chosen?”), and to express contempt (“How can this man save us?”). (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\n### Idioms\n\nSamuel frequently uses idioms when prophesying: “going to God” means “going to worship God”; “take it from their hands” means “accept their gift”; “rush upon you” means “control you”; “hand finds to do” means “what you think you should do”; “God is with you” means “God is directing you”; “another heart” means “a different way of thinking”; “came to pass” means “happened”; “before Yahweh” means “to do work for Yahweh”; and “hearts God had touched” means “God had made them want to help Saul.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
10:1 y1dk took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head 0 In Israelite culture, when a prophet poured oil on someone’s head, that person received a blessing from Yahweh.
10:1 df9v flask 0 a small container made from baked clay
10:1 m8gx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance? 0 Samuel knows the answer to his question. He is reminding Saul that Yahweh has chosen him to be king of Israel. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has certainly anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance.”
10:2 ndv7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zelzah 0 This is the name of a place.
10:3 nc4k rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Tabor 0 This is the name of a place.
10:4 my71 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche take from their hands 0 The hands are a synecdoche for the person. “take from them” or “accept”
10:5 ha8h rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown tambourine 0 This is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken.
10:6 q8hj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you 0 The phrase “rush upon” means that Yahweh’s Spirit will influence Saul. In this case it means it means he will make Saul prophesy and act like a different person.
10:7 drt6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification do whatever your hand finds to do 0 Here Samuel speaks of Saul’s hand as if it were a person trying to find things. Alternate translation: “do whatever you think is right to do”
10:9 ifw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom God gave him another heart 0 God enabled Samuel to think differently from the way he had thought before.
10:10 lyd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification the Spirit of God rushed upon him 0 Samuel speaks as if the Spirit of Yahweh were a person running up to Saul and taking complete control of him. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 10:6](../10/06.md). Alternate translation: “the Spirit of Yahweh took complete control of him”
10:11 myw8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What has happened to the son of Kish? 0 This could mean: (1) the people are asking for information or (2) this is a rhetorical question that means Saul is not important. Alternate translation: “Kish is not an important person, so it cannot be true that his son has become a prophet!”
10:12 g5tt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Then who is their father? 0 This man uses a rhetorical question to remind people that being a prophet has nothing to do with who one’s parents are. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It does not matter who the parents of these other prophets are. What matters is that, amazingly, Saul is speaking messages from God.”
10:12 v7kp rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs Because of this, it became a saying, “Is Saul also one of the prophets?” 0 This became a proverb among the Israelites. Apparently people said this to express surprise when a person unexpectedly did something that he had not done before. The implied meaning of the question can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “And that is why, when people cannot believe some report, they think about what happened to Saul and say, ‘Is Saul really one of the prophets?’” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
10:14 kwk6 Then Saul’s uncle said to him 0 Alternate translation: “Then the brother of Saul’s father said to Saul”
10:16 t8y5 he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom 0 Alternate translation: “Saul did not tell his uncle that God had appointed him to be the king of Israel”
10:18 j92a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I brought up Israel out of Egypt 0 The name “Israel” is a metonym for the people of Israel. “I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt”
10:18 yy7r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of the Egyptians … the hand of all the kingdoms 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “the power of the Egyptians … the power of all the kingdoms”
10:19 x7u7 today 0 Samuel is speaking of the time since Israel had begun to reject God, not only the time since the sun had last set.
10:19 r9bd Set a king over us 0 Alternate translation: “Give us a king to rule us”
10:19 ut8y present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your clans 0 Alternate translation: “gather together by tribes and clans and come to stand before Yahweh”
10:20 qbp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the tribe of Benjamin was chosen 0 This can be translated in active form. It is probably best not to say how the people knew whom Yahweh had chosen. Alternate translation: “Yahweh chose the tribe of Benjamin”
10:21 f8p3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the clan of the Matrites was chosen … Saul son of Kish was chosen 0 This can be translated in active form. It is probably best not to say how the people knew whom Yahweh had chosen. Alternate translation: “Yahweh chose the clan of the Matrites … Yahweh chose Saul son of Kish”
10:23 ab3b he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward 0 The other tall people in Israel did not even come up to his shoulders. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 9:2](../09/02.md).
10:25 v52k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns the customs and rules of kingship 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **kingship**, you can express the same idea with a noun clause. Alternate translation: “the customs and rules that a king would be required to follow”
10:26 re4y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom whose hearts God had touched 0 God touching a person’s heart is an idiom that means God put something in their mind or moved them to do something. Alternate translation: “who wanted to go with Saul because God had changed their thinking”
10:27 u77f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How can this man save us? 0 This is a rhetorical question that is used to express sarcasm. Alternate translation: “This man has no power to save us!”
11:intro abcb 0 # 1 Samuel 11 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter continues the story of King Saul by telling of his first victory in war.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Saul rescues the people of Jabesh Gilead\n\nNahash, king of the Ammonites, and his army surrounded the Israeli town of Jabesh Gilead. When the city’s leaders asked for peace terms, Nahash demanded the right to poke out one eye of every man in order to show Israel their weakness. When Saul heard this, he called for all of Israel to help save this city. Many people came to help Saul’s army. Israel was victorious and everyone wanted Saul as their king. At this time, Israel was not a truly unified country, even though it is often spoken of as one country. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idioms\n\nThe idioms in this chapter explain the effect God has on his people: “rushed upon him” means “empowered him”; “terror … fell” means “they became afraid”; “as one man” means “they all agreed”; and “put to death” means “kill.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
11:6 xw9g the Spirit of God rushed upon him 0 The phrase “rushed upon” means Yahweh’s Spirit influenced Saul. In this case he enabled Saul to cause the people to fearfully respect him as their king and to join his army. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 10:6](../10/06.md).
11:7 j26n does not come out after 0 Saul was calling all the men of Israel to come fight against Nahash and the Ammonites.
11:7 wi7p Then the terror of Yahweh fell on the people 0 Yahweh enabled people to fearfully respect Saul as their king. The result was that the men rallied together with Saul at Bezek.
11:8 r5l1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Bezek 0 This is the name of a town near Jabesh Gilead.
11:8 zr4f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand 0 “the people of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah were 30,000”
11:10 h3ne Nahash 0 This is the name of a king. See how you translated this name in [1 Samuel 11:1](../11/01.md).
11:11 d6lh the morning watch 0 This was before dawn when most people in the camp were still asleep.
11:15 anj5 made Saul king before Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “made Saul king while Yahweh watched”
11:15 y7hb There they sacrificed peace offerings before Yahweh 0 Part of Samuel’s service to Yahweh is to offer sacrifices even though he is not from the line of Aaron or Levi.
12:intro abcc 0 # 1 Samuel 12 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Samuel’s farewell address\nThis chapter serves as a type of farewell address. This is a way for leaders to give instructions to their followers before they leave or die. Samuel first established his holiness before calling on the people to repent of their desire to have a king. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\nIt is common in Scripture to use Israel’s history to show how faithful God has been. This gives the readers evidence to trust in Yahweh in their current situation. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]])
12:2 jw1v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the king walking before you … I have walked before you 0 These expressions mean that people can actually see the kind of lives Saul and Samuel are living. Alternate translation: “the king’s life was seen … My life was seen”
12:3 y8su rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one 0 By this statement, Samuel is challenging the people to speak up if he has done anything wrong to anyone. Alternate translation: “I stand in front of you now. I ask you to speak in front of Yahweh and his anointed king if I have done you any wrong”
12:3 zf3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? 0 Samuel uses rhetorical questions to remind the people that he has never stolen their animals. Alternate translation: “I have never stolen a prized animal from anyone.”
12:3 ui7w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Whom have I defrauded? 0 Samuel uses another rhetorical question to say he has always been honest. Alternate translation: “I have never cheated or bribed any man.”
12:3 xi9r Testify against me, and I will restore it to you 0 Alternate translation: “If I have done any of these evil things, speak now, and I will pay back what I owe. I will make right any wrong”
12:4 w6u5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism from any man’s hand 0 This phrase means what a person possesses or what they have done to obtain favor from others. This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes.
12:5 s4uv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism in my hand 0 This phrase means what a person possesses or what they have done to obtain favor from others. This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes.
12:7 p1jp all of the righteous deeds of Yahweh 0 Samuel is calling their attention to the history of Yahweh’s dealing with Israel, which has been filled with goodness and purpose.
12:10 k54u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths 0 Serving here is referring to acting worshipful towards the false gods. Alternate translation: “have worshiped false gods and goddesses”
12:10 rl36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of our enemies 0 This statement is using “hand” to refer to power. Alternate translation: “the power or control of our enemies”
12:11 zc87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Yahweh sent … and gave you victory 0 Samuel is telling the story of what God did after the people’s confession of sin and plea for help.
12:11 uy4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jerub Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel 0 These are the names of some judges that God raised up. Samuel included himself in this list.
12:13 b1z6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for 0 These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that this is the king whom the people wanted.
12:14 qrk5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism fear … serve … obey … not rebel 0 These similar words are used to emphasize how important this is.
12:15 qw1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh’s hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors 0 This speaks of Yahweh punishing the people as his “hand” being against them. The word “hand” here represents Yahweh’s power and control. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will punish you, just as he punished your ancestors”
12:16 p8gu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche before your eyes 0 The word “eyes” here represents the people of the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “out in the open where all of the nation of Israel may see”
12:17 y9za rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is it not the wheat harvest today? 0 Samuel knows it is harvest time. He is using a rhetorical question to emphasize that it does not usually rain at this time so the people will know that the rain that will ruin their harvest is a judgment from Yahweh. Alternate translation: “It is harvest time and does not usually rain at this time”
12:17 kyk2 he may send thunder and rain 0 Samuel is asking Yahweh to punish Israel for asking for a king by sending a rainstorm during the harvest which will ruin the grain.
12:19 ec4y so that we do not die 0 The ultimate punishment for sin is death. The nation of Israel had seen Yahweh destroy the nations that had oppressed them. They were concerned that they had become “dedicated for destruction” like those nations.
12:20 fej7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Do not be afraid 0 The people did evil and were afraid of God destroying them. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid that God will be angry and destroy you because of this sin”
12:22 shb6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy For the sake of his great name 0 Here “name” refers to the reputation of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “So that people will continue to honor and respect Yahweh”
12:23 jh36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you 0 The people are filled with fear because of the rain and thunder that Yahweh sent when Samuel prayed. Some people may believe Samuel would use his prayers to harm them.
13:intro abcd 0 # 1 Samuel 13 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter is the beginning of a story about Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Preparation for the battle\n\nSaul sent most of his army home before Jonathan attacked and defeated a Philistine garrison. This attack made the Philistines very angry, and they brought a huge army into Israel and camped at the top of a hill. Most of Saul’s army ran away in fear and hid from the Philistines. There are many aspects of this story that give the reader the impression that Israel was unprepared for battle.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Hyperbole\n\nWanting to express the vast number of enemy soldiers, the author uses a hyperbole: “as numerous as the sand on the seashore,” meaning “too many to count.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
13:1 cyx8 Saul was thirty years old … over Israel 0 The text of this verse in ancient copies seems to have been mutilated, so modern versions have many different translations. They are all attempts to represent the most probable meaning of the original text.
13:4 m9rj All Israel heard that Saul had defeated 0 This could mean: (1) Saul was taking responsibility for Jonathan’s actions or (2) Saul was taking credit for Jonathan’s actions.
13:4 mef1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Israel had become a rotten smell to the Philistines 0 The Philistines hating the Israelites is spoken of as if the Israelites had become a bad smell that offended the Philistines. Alternate translation: “the Philistines hated the Israelites”
13:4 en9q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the soldiers were summoned together to join Saul at Gilgal 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Saul called the soldiers together to join him at Gilgal”
13:5 ez1f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three thousand … six thousand 0 “3,000 … 6,000”
13:5 ilg1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore 0 This is an exaggeration that means a group of soldiers so large that it was difficult to count them.
13:5 xgl1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Michmash 0 This is the name of a place.
13:5 m7kg rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Aven 0 This is the name of a place.
13:8 i6u1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the people were scattering from Saul 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the people had started to leave Saul”
13:11 r1c1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What have you done 0 Samuel was not really asking a question, but giving a rebuke to Saul. Saul sought to defend his actions even though they were wrong.
13:11 r1ii Michmash 0 Michmash is the name of a place. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 13:2](../13/02.md).
13:13 wtr2 You have not kept the command of Yahweh 0 Saul was to wait for Samuel to come and sacrifice the burnt offering to God. He was not to perform the sacrifice himself.
13:13 cmq5 established your rule 0 Alternate translation: “set up your rule” or “authorized your rule” or “appointed your rule”
13:14 v5qb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes your rule will not continue 0 This is a litotes that can be stated in the positive form. Alternate translation: “your rule will end soon”
13:14 qa5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy a man after his own heart 0 Here “heart” represents Yahweh’s desire or will. The phrase “man after his own heart” is an idiom that means to be a person who does what Yahweh desires. Alternate translation: “a man who is the kind of person he wants” or “a man who will obey him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
13:15 rlp2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Samuel arose and went up 0 This is an idiom for “Samuel left and went up.”
13:19 fqi8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive No blacksmith could be found 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “No one could find a blacksmith”
13:21 wv2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney two-thirds of a shekel 0 The shekel is divided into 3 parts, 2 of 3 parts are given. “2/3 of a shekel”
13:21 e1et straightening the goads 0 Alternate translation: “taking out the bend and making the ox goad straight again so it could be used”
13:22 lcm6 there were no swords or spears 0 This explains in part why Saul’s army was afraid. They did not have any weapons to fight.
14:intro abce 0 # 1 Samuel 14 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter completes the story of Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The battle against the Philistines\n\nJonathan took his armor bearer to where the Philistines were on the top of the hill. He said God could use a few people just as easily as he could use many people to win his battles. He and his armor bearer started killing the Philistines, and suddenly the Philistines began fighting each other or running away. The rest of Israel, who had hidden, came and chased the Philistines. Even though Israel had a king, God was still in control of the nation of Israel.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Special reference\n\nThe people of Israel often used the term “uncircumcised” to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to mean the Philistines. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/circumcise]])
14:4 r7in rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names One rocky cliff was called Bozez 0 A “cliff” is a rocky height with a steep drop. The cliff was well-known and given the name “Bozez.”
14:4 g7r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the other rocky cliff was called Seneh 0 This was the name of the other cliff.
14:5 t2qr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Michmash … Geba 0 towns north of Jerusalem
14:6 zb4m his young armor bearer 0 This was a teenage boy who was responsible for caring for his master’s weapons of war. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 14:1](../14/01.md).
14:6 v7vs uncircumcised fellows 0 a derogatory term used for non-Jewish men
14:6 i4mm work on our behalf 0 Alternate translation: “work for our support” or “help us”
14:6 zt56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives nothing can stop Yahweh from saving 0 This double negative can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh can save”
14:6 s2bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism by many or by few people 0 These extremes also include everything in between. Alternate translation: “by any number of people”
14:7 k14h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy everything that is in your heart 0 Here “heart” refers to Jonathan’s desires. Alternate translation: “everything that you desire to do”
14:10 d8qx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy has given them into our hand 0 Here “hand” refers to the power to defeat them. Alternate translation: “will enable us to defeat them”
14:11 mw3e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves 0 The Philistines implied that the Hebrews had been hiding in holes in the ground like animals.
14:12 d753 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom we will show you something 0 This is an idiom that means “we will teach you a lesson.”
14:12 ead2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy has given them into the hand of Israel 0 Here “hand” refers to power to defeat the Philistines. Alternate translation: “will enable Israel to defeat them”
14:13 wcb3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet 0 He did this because it was very steep. This could be made explicit. Alternate translation: “So Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and his feet because it was very steep”
14:13 hb6a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Jonathan killed the Philistines”
14:13 h93x his armor bearer put some to death behind him 0 Alternate translation: “Jonathan’s armor bearer followed him and also killed Philistine soldiers”
14:15 r2ci rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **panic**, you can express the same idea with a verb or as an adjective. Alternate translation: “The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, panicked” or “The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, became very afraid”
14:15 ety8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The earth quaked 0 It may be helpful to state the cause. Alternate translation: “God caused the ground to shake”
14:16 y56n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gibeah 0 This was the town where Saul was born. Translated “Gibeah” as in [1 Samuel 10:26](../10/26.md).
14:16 fxf9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism was dispersing … going here and there 0 These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that the soldiers were running away in every direction.
14:18 b8k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants Bring the ark of God here 0 A few versions have “ephod” here instead of “ark of God.”
14:19 db4u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Withdraw your hand 0 This seems to be an idiom the means “Stop what you are doing.” Saul did not want Ahijah to continue to use the ark to ask God for direction. Alternate translation: “Do not bring the sacred chest at this time”
14:20 j27w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification Every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow countrymen 0 The swords are spoken of as if they were living people. Alternate translation: “The Philistine soldiers were striking each other with their swords”
14:22 pz4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills 0 This does not refer to an ambush. These soldiers were hiding because they were afraid of the Philistines. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Israelite soldiers who were afraid and had hidden themselves in the hills”
14:23 y4b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Aven 0 This is a place in Israel. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 13:5](../13/05.md).
14:26 y6qu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole the honey flowed 0 This is an exaggeration to emphasize how much honey there was in the forest. Alternate translation: “there was a lot of honey everywhere”
14:26 u6dd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy no one put his hand to his mouth 0 Here putting one’s “hand to his mouth” is a metonym that means to eat. Alternate translation: “no one ate any”
14:26 ll4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the people feared the oath 0 The people were not afraid of the oath, but of the punishment that was associated with breaking the oath. Alternate translation: “the people were afraid of what Saul would do to them if they broke his oath”
14:27 tpk8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor bound the people with an oath 0 Here the obligation to obey an oath is spoken of as if the people were bound with ropes. Alternate translation: “commanded that the people obey his oath”
14:27 bpc5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy He raised his hand to his mouth 0 Here “hand to his mouth” is a metonym that means to eat. Alternate translation: “He ate some honey”
14:27 m3rq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom his eyes brightened 0 This idiom means that he was strengthened. Alternate translation: “he regained his strength”
14:29 cip2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy for the land 0 This is a metonym that represents the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “for Israel”
14:29 z3xa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom my eyes have become brightened 0 This idiom means that he was strengthened. Alternate translation: “I regained my strength”
14:30 v75u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How much better if the people … that they found? 0 Jonathan uses this hypothetical question to state that the people should have been allowed to eat. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: “Our victory would have been better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder that they took from their enemies.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])
14:30 m8aj plunder 0 This word refers to the things the people had taken from the battle with their enemy.
14:30 v717 Because now the slaughter has not been great 0 Because the troops were not able to eat during the battle, as the day progressed, they became weaker. Because of this, they were not able to kill as many of the Philistines.
14:32 g2ur rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit ate them with the blood 0 The were so hungry they did not drain the blood first before eating. This was a violation of the Law which was given to Moses for the nation of Israel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “ate them without draining the blood first as required by the law”
14:33 pqy9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit by eating with the blood 0 This was a violation of the Law which was given to Moses for the nation of Israel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “by eating meat without draining the blood first as required by the law”
14:33 ing6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole You have acted unfaithfully 0 Saul is accusing his whole army of acting unfaithfully though this is a generalization because not every soldier acted unfaithfully.
14:33 d9xa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Now, roll a big stone here to me 0 The stone would hold the animals up and make it easier to drain the blood from them.
14:35 y6xn Saul built an altar to Yahweh 0 It is unclear if Saul built this altar with the large stone that the people brought to him in [1 Samuel 14:33](../14/33.md).
14:36 qd4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes let us not leave one of them alive 0 This is stated in a negative way to emphasize the slaughter. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “let us kill every one of them”
14:36 eu41 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Let us approach God here 0 Here “approaching God” is associated with asking him counsel. Alternate translation: “Let us ask God what we should do”
14:37 e4l1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy give them into the hand of Israel 0 Here “hand” refers to the power to defeat them. Alternate translation: “enable us to defeat them”
14:39 t91s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die 0 Saul stated this as a hypothetical situation because he did not believe that Jonathan was guilty.
14:39 dce3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But none of the men among all the people answered him 0 The people remained silent because most of them knew that Jonathan had broken Saul’s oath. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “His men knew who was guilty, but none of them said anything to Saul”
14:40 vud3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Then he said to all Israel 0 This was a generalization since only the Israelite soldiers were present. Alternate translation: “Then he said to the Israelite soldiers who were there”
14:41 f92v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit give the Thummim 0 The Israelites at that time used special stones called the Urim and the Thummim to receive direction from God. Alternate translation: “Show us by means of the Thummim”
14:41 rk8v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate Thummim 0 This is a borrowed word from the original language.
14:41 as11 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The lots indicated that either Jonathan or Saul was guilty, but the army was not guilty”
14:42 rw4a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Then Jonathan was taken by lot 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then the lot indicated that Jonathan was guilty”
14:43 h3ee Tell me what you have done 0 Alternate translation: “Tell me how you have sinned” or “Tell me what you have done that was wrong”
14:43 yi96 I will die 0 This could mean: (1) “I am willing to die” or (2) “do I deserve to be executed because of doing that?”
14:44 bhu1 God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan 0 Saul makes a second foolish oath in less than one day. Alternate translation: “May God kill me if I do not kill you, Jonathan”
14:45 q95l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory for Israel? Far from it! 0 The people scold Saul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Jonathan has just accomplished this great victory for Israel. He should surely not die.”
14:45 cdg3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole not one hair of his head will fall to the ground 0 This exaggeration shows how the people of Israel would protect Jonathan and keep him safe. This litotes can be stated in a positive form. Alternate translation: “we will protect him from any harm” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
14:47 q2xh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Israel 0 This is a metonym that represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites”
14:47 vkj9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Moab 0 This refers to the people of Moab. Alternate translation: “the Moabites”
14:47 lm9l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Edom 0 This refers to the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “the Edomites”
15:intro abcf 0 # 1 Samuel 15 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis is the end of the section on Saul and Samuel (8–15).\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### God wants total obedience\n\nSamuel told Saul that God wanted him to completely destroy the Amalekite people and animals. Saul fought the Amalekites and killed all the people except the king. He destroyed the animals that were not very good but saved the best animals. Saul told Samuel he had obeyed God’s command. Samuel asked him about the animals Saul had. Saul said he had saved them for a sacrifice to God. God said that obedience was better than sacrifice. Because Saul had disobeyed him, God had chosen someone else to become king.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Idiom\n\n“He has turned back from following me” is an idiom meaning “he has stopped obeying me.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nWhen Saul insisted that he had obeyed God, Samuel rebuked him with these rhetorical questions: “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”; “Though you are little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel?”; “Why then did you not obey the voice of Yahweh, but instead you seized the booty and did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh?”; and “Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
15:3 q1vz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism completely destroy all that they have … kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey 0 These two phrases mean the same thing. The second phrase gives specific details about what they are to destroy completely.
15:3 ik1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes Do not spare them 0 This negative statement emphasizes the completeness of the destruction.
15:4 ppw8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah 0 “200,000 men on foot, and 10,000 men of Judah”
15:6 stl7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kenites 0 a nomad people group that had always been friendly to the nation of Israel
15:7 t6tl rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Havilah … Shur 0 These are the names of places.
15:8 ey6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he took Agag 0 Here Saul represents himself accompanied by his army. Alternate translation: “Saul and his army took Agag” or “Saul and his army captured Agag”
15:8 kfl9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword 0 The “edge of the sword” represents the swords and other weapons that soldiers used in battle. Here Saul represents himself accompanied by his army. Alternate translation: “they completely destroyed all of the people with their swords” or “they killed all of the people with their swords”
15:10 w6bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying, 0 The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Samuel. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Samuel:”
15:11 fu9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he has turned back from following me 0 Saul not obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if Saul had physically turned away from walking behind God. Alternate translation: “he has stopped following me”
15:11 zml2 has not performed my commandments 0 “has not obeyed what I commanded him to do.” Saul was to completely destroy everything and everyone. God had placed a ban on the Amalekites. But Saul permitted some livestock to live.
15:11 uwz4 Samuel was angry 0 This could mean: (1) Samuel was angry with Saul for his disobedience or (2) Samuel was disturbed.
15:12 g77w Samuel was told 0 Alternate translation: “Someone told Samuel”
15:12 hh8y he set up a monument to himself 0 Saul was full of pride.
15:12 fp2t down to Gilgal 0 Gilgal was lower in elevation than Carmel.
15:13 wpf4 I have fulfilled the command of Yahweh 0 It is not clear if Saul understood that he had not fully obeyed God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites.
15:14 cme2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism in my ears … that I hear 0 These two phrases mean the same thing. Here “in my ears” refers to hearing. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
15:15 ks4s They have brought … the people spared 0 The word “they” and the phrase “the people” here both represent Saul’s army. Saul is blaming the people rather than himself.
15:17 a18m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor in your own sight 0 Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your own opinion” or “in your judgment”
15:17 a7ji rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? 0 Samuel uses this question to remind Saul of now much God had given him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh made you the ruler of the tribes of Israel!”
15:19 yu1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why did you not obey … Yahweh? 0 Samuel asks this question to rebuke Saul for disobeying Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have obeyed … Yahweh!”
15:19 w3n7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the voice of Yahweh 0 Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded”
15:19 x74v but instead you seized the booty 0 Samuel is accusing Saul of direct disobedience. Yahweh commanded Saul to completely destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites, and not to bring anything back to camp.
15:19 b9eg the booty 0 Alternate translation: “the plunder” or “the possessions you took from the enemy”
15:19 qxl6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 Here “sight” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts or opinion. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh considers to be evil” or “what is evil in Yahweh’s judgement”
15:20 k3f4 I have indeed obeyed the voice of Yahweh 0 This is an emphatic statement. It is unclear if Saul thought this was true, or if he was simply making excuses for his sin.
15:20 j3h2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the voice of Yahweh 0 Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded”
15:20 w1jd rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Agag 0 This is the name of the king of the Amalekites.
15:21 li5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gilgal 0 This is the name of a place.
15:22 dp67 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? 0 Samuel asks this question to emphasize that obedience is much more important than sacrifice. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh does not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying his voice!”
15:22 f8kc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the voice of Yahweh 0 Here “voice” refers to the commands that Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: “the things that Yahweh commanded”
15:22 wen9 Obedience is better than sacrifice 0 God wanted Saul’s complete obedience in the destruction of the Amalekites. Nothing in the land was fit for sacrifice.
15:22 u1dg better than the fat of rams 0 Alternate translation: “better than to sacrifice the fat of rams as a burnt offering”
15:23 m9ce rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns rebellion is like the sin of divination 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **rebellion**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “to rebel is as sinful as practicing divination”
15:23 xz9b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns stubbornness is like wickedness and iniquity 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **stubbornness**, you can express the same idea with a verb. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **wickedness**, you can express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “being stubborn is as bad as doing wicked things and practicing iniquity”
15:24 g1fl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I have broken Yahweh’s commandment 0 This is an idiom that means he had disobeyed the commandment. Alternate translation: “I have disobeyed what Yahweh commanded”
15:24 t7ez because I was afraid of the people 0 This is the reason Saul gives for not obeying God. Alternate translation: “because I was afraid of the soldiers”
15:24 f7vn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy obeyed their voice 0 Here “voice” refers to what the soldiers asked Saul to do. Alternate translation: “did what they asked”
15:25 bb4i return with me 0 Saul and Samuel were apparently talking in private away from the other people.
15:26 qdh9 for you have rejected the word of Yahweh 0 Samuel made it clear that Saul understood that he was disobeying God at the time when he spared the best animals and did not kill Agag.
15:26 h622 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit rejected the word of Yahweh 0 “rejected Yahweh’s command” or “rejected Yahweh’s message.” This means that he refused to obey Yahweh’s command. Alternate translation: “refused to obey Yahweh’s command”
15:27 jy4w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Saul took hold of the hem of his robe 0 Saul did this to try to stop Samuel from leaving. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “Saul tried to stop him by grabbing the edge of Samuel’s robe”
15:28 m2mh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel 0 This refers back to when Saul tore Samuel’s robe in [1 Samuel 15:27](../15/27.md). This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Just as you tore my robe, Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel”
15:29 el2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the Strength of Israel 0 Here Yahweh is referred to as “the Strength of Israel” because he gives strength to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, who is the strength of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
15:29 f3ca rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes will not lie nor change his mind 0 This is stated as a negative to emphasize that God tells the truth. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “will always tell the truth and do what he says”
15:29 lt8w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his mind 0 This refers to his thoughts and decisions. Alternate translation: “what he has decided to do”
15:29 cud6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes he is not a man, that he should change his mind 0 This is stated as a negative to emphasize that God is trustworthy. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “he is God, and will do what he says he will do”
15:30 x7z1 But please honor me now before the elders 0 Saul may have been more interested in being honored by the people than in actually worshipping God.
15:30 ruq1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy before the elders of my people and before Israel 0 Here “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “before the people of Israel and the elders who lead them”
15:30 au2s Turn again with me 0 Alternate translation: “Come back with me” or “Return with me”
15:31 evb6 So Samuel turned again after Saul 0 This implies that Samuel changed his mind, and that they went together to where the people were. Alternate translation: “So Samuel finally agreed to do that, and they went together back to where the people were”
15:32 n2tg Agag came to him confined with chains and said 0 Alternate translation: “They brought Agag to him bound by chains and Agag said”
15:32 u9hs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Surely the bitterness of death has past 0 This idiom appears to mean that Agag no longer thought he would be killed. Alternate translation: “Surely I am no longer in danger or dying”
15:33 dqu4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women 0 Both of these phrases have similar meaning and may be intended to be in poetic form. Alternate translation: “Since you have killed people, you will also be killed”
15:33 z9kf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism made women childless, so shall your mother be childless 0 This is a polite way of referring to killing people. Alternate translation: “killed the sons of other women, so shall I kill your mother’s son”
15:33 lwq9 Then Samuel chopped Agag to pieces 0 Samuel is the one who completed this task that Yahweh commanded Saul to do. Alternate translation: “Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces with his sword”
16:intro abcg 0 # 1 Samuel 16 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### 1 Samuel 16–31 Saul and David\nChapter 16 establishes God’s choice of David to be the next king. David receives the Holy Spirit to empower and guide him as the king. This chapter also records the Holy Spirit leaving Saul because of his disobedience. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David chosen to be the next king\n\nHumans judge others by what they look like, but God judges people by their true inner character. God rejected David’s older brothers in favor of David, who truly loved and obeyed him. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/love]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical Question\n\nGod scolds Samuel with this rhetorical question for his unwillingness to accept God’s decision: “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?” It was wrong to mourn because it was God’s punishment of Saul. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
16:1 ib7t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? 0 This rhetorical question is a rebuke from God and can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Stop mourning that I rejected Saul from being king over Israel.”
16:1 aav1 Fill your horn with oil 0 The term “horn” was sometimes used to refer to a “flask” that was shaped like a horn and was used for holding water or oil. A flask of oil was used for anointing a king.
16:2 msu1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How can I go? 0 Samuel uses a question to emphasize that he is worried about going to Bethlehem. Alternate translation: “I cannot go!” or “I am afraid to go.”
16:2 a4gl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis with you and say 0 You can state the understood information. Alternate translation: “with you to Bethlehem and say to the people there”
16:2 t5yc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’ 0 This has a quotation within a quotation. The direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “say to the people there that you have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
16:4 ead8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The elders of the city were trembling as they came to meet him 0 It seems the elders were trembling because they were worried that Samuel came to rebuke them.
16:5 tt5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis In peace 0 This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “Yes, I have come in peace”
16:5 a67l to set … apart 0 To set someone apart means to get that person ready for Yahweh’s purposes by making sure that person is ritually clean according to the law of Moses.
16:7 hbc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh does not see as man sees 0 Here “see” means to evaluate something.
16:7 v16l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person For Yahweh does not see … Yahweh looks 0 Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: “For I, Yahweh, do not see … I, Yahweh, look”
16:7 s3tv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy on the heart 0 Here “heart” represents a person’s inner being.
16:8 k8wq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abinadab 0 This is the name of one of Jesse’s sons.
16:9 ex3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis Jesse then made Shammah pass by 0 It is understood that Shammah passed by Samuel. Alternate translation: “Jesse then made Shammah pass before Samuel” or “Jesse then told Shammah to go to Samuel”
16:9 xzq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shammah 0 This is the name of one of Jesse’s sons.
16:11 r1tl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis we will not sit down 0 It is understood that they were waiting to sit down and eat. Alternate translation: “we will not sit down to eat”
16:12 ie4h Now … appearance 0 The word “Now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells about a new person in the story.
16:12 ev69 this son was ruddy 0 The word “ruddy” means David was healthy looking.
16:13 gsz8 the horn of oil 0 The term “horn” was sometimes used to refer to a “flask” that was shaped like a horn and was used for holding water or oil. A flask of oil was used for anointing a king. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 16:1](../16/01.md).
16:13 e73i The Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David 0 The phrase “rushed on” means Yahweh’s Spirit influenced David. In this case it means he enabled David to fulfill whatever Yahweh wanted him to do. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 10:6](../10/06.md).
16:14 a48s Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
16:14 thd3 harmful spirit 0 This may refer to either a “spirit that causes trouble” or an “evil spirit.”
16:16 y7wp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person Let our master now command 0 The servants refer to Saul in the third person as “our master.” Alternate translation: “We ask that you, our master, command”
16:16 qwf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person command your servants who are before you to look 0 The servants refer to themselves in the third person as “your servants.” Alternate translation: “command us, your servants who attend to you, to look”
16:18 l27k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yahweh is with him 0 Here “with him” means Yahweh helps and blesses David.
16:21 g496 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go David came to Saul 0 Here “came” can be translated as “went.”
16:21 i2aj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns entered his service 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **service**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “began to serve him”
16:22 mk1a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Let David stand before me 0 Here “stand before me” is an idiom that means to continue in Saul’s service. Alternate translation: “Let David stay in my service”
16:22 b5l4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy he has found favor in my eyes 0 Here “eyes” are a metonym for sight, and “my sight” represents how Saul judges or evaluates David. Alternate translation: “he has found favor in my judgment” or “I am pleased with him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
16:23 c6ip harmful spirit 0 Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either a “spirit that causes trouble” or an “evil spirit.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 16:14](../16/14.md).
16:23 hnb5 was upon Saul 0 Alternate translation: “troubled Saul”
16:23 pxe5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Saul would be refreshed and well 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the music would refresh Saul and make him well”
17:intro abch 0 # 1 Samuel 17 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter introduced David as a soldier, a skill that will be important for the rest of his life.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David kills Goliath\n\nTrust in God is more powerful than physical might or military training and equipment. David, trusting in the Lord and armed only with a sling, defeats Goliath who is well-armed and physically strong but who did not believe in Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/believe]])\n\n### Uncircumcised\n\nThe people of Israel often used the term “uncircumcised” to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to describe the Philistines. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/circumcise]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nDavid uses rhetorical questions to state his desire to fight the giant: “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])\n\nHis brother uses rhetorical questions to show his disdain for his younger brother, whom he thinks is pretending to be bigger than he really is: “Why did you come down here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” David defends himself with some questions: “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?”\n\nGoliath also uses a rhetorical question to show his contempt for young David: “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”
17:2 z3hp rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the Valley of Elah 0 This is the name of a place.
17:4 q4bx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance six cubits and a span 0 A cubit is a unit of measurement equal to about 46 centimeters. A span is a unit of measurement equal to about 23 centimeters. Alternate translation: “about 3 meters”
17:5 n5rl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he was armed with a coat of chainmail 0 A “coat of chainmail” is a flexible piece of body armor covered with protective scales or small plates. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he protected himself by wearing a coat of chainmail” or “he wore a coat of chainmail”
17:5 c1ze rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight five thousand shekels 0 A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 55 kilograms”
17:7 ww8c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight six hundred shekels of iron 0 A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 7 kilograms”
17:8 xz35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why have you come out to draw up for battle? 0 “Why have you come to fight in battle against us?” Goliath uses this question to mock the Israelites. Alternate translation: “You are fools if you think you can fight in battle against us!”
17:8 sj9b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Am not I a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? 0 Goliath uses this question to mock the Israelites. When he says that he is a Philistine, he is implying that he is strong. Alternate translation: “I am a great Philistine, and you are merely servants of Saul.”
17:11 su45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet they were discouraged and greatly afraid 0 The words “discouraged” and “greatly afraid” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of their fear.
17:12 apl3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Jesse was an old man … very old among men 0 The two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
17:14 kp25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The three oldest 0 The implied information is that these are the sons of Jesse. Alternate translation: “The three oldest sons of Jesse”
17:16 wi92 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers For forty days 0 “For 40 days”
17:17 t66s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume ephah 0 An ephah is a unit of measurement equal to about 22 liters.
17:18 n9tr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers the captain of their thousand 0 “the captain of your brothers’ thousand.” This could mean: (1) the word “thousand” represents the exact amount of soldiers that this captain led. Alternate translation: “the captain of your brothers’ unit of 1,000 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “thousand” does not represent exact number, but is the name of a large military division. Alternate translation: “the captain of your brothers’ military division”
17:19 fa7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the Valley of Elah 0 This is the name of a place. See how you translated it in [1 Samuel 17:2](../17/02.md).
17:25 nx3g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Have you seen this man who has come up? 0 The soldiers were saying this to draw one another’s attention to the man Goliath. Alternate translation: “Look at this man who has come up!”
17:25 i1j1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The king 0 This refers to the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “Our king”
17:25 d62y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy will make his father’s house free from taxation in Israel 0 The word “house” refers to the household or family. Alternate translation: “will no longer require his family to pay taxes”
17:26 ys91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns takes away the disgrace from Israel 0 This can be expressed with the verb “disgrace.” Alternate translation: “stops Israel from being disgraced” or “stops him from disgracing Israel”
17:26 vrc8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? 0 David said this to show his anger that this Philistine was defying God’s army. Alternate translation: “This uncircumcised Philistine certainly has no power that he should defy the armies of the living God!”
17:28 tmc9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Eliab’s anger was kindled against David 0 Here anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that could be kindled. Alternate translation: “Eliab became angry with David”
17:28 f8iy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why did you come down here? 0 Eliab uses this question to show that he is angry that David came down. He was probably implying that David did not have a good reason for coming. Alternate translation: “You had no good reason to come here”
17:28 k8hg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? 0 Eliab uses this question to insult David by making his work seem unimportant and by accusing him of not taking care of his father’s sheep. Alternate translation: “You simply had the responsibility of watching over a few sheep in the wilderness. You could not even carry out that simple responsibility!”
17:28 aj1w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism your pride, and the mischief in your heart 0 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
17:29 m8dz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What have I done now? Was it not just a question? 0 David used these questions to express his frustration and to justify himself. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong. I was only asking a question!”
17:31 q448 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive When the words that David said were heard 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “When the soldiers heard what David said”
17:32 h5di rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Let no man’s heart fail 0 The heart failing represents being terrified and losing confidence. Alternate translation: “Do not let anyone be terrified” or “Do not let anyone lose their confidence”
17:32 h1gz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person your servant will go 0 David spoke of himself as “your servant” to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “I, your servant, will go”
17:34 ing5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep 0 David spoke of himself as “your servant” to show respect to Saul. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 17:32](../17/32.md). Alternate translation: “I, your servant, used to keep my father’s sheep”
17:35 tq7y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he rose up against me 0 Here “rose up against” is an idiom that refers to attacking. Alternate translation: “it attacked me”
17:35 n1vn caught him by his beard 0 The “beard” refers to the lion’s mane or the hair on the bear’s face.
17:36 r5kx Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nDavid continues speaking to King Saul.
17:36 q3g3 This uncircumcised Philistine 0 This phrase is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 17:26](../17/26.md).
17:36 dhp4 will be like one of them 0 David is saying that he will be able to kill the Philistine just as he was able to kill the lion and bear.
17:37 hb63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear 0 Bears and lions use their paws when they attack, so the word “paw” represents the attack. Alternate translation: “from the attack of the lion and from the attack of the bear” or “from the lion and the bear”
17:37 p2u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of this Philistine 0 The Philistine’s hand represents his power in fighting. Alternate translation: “the power of this Philistine” or “the Philistine”
17:43 tz3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? 0 Here a dog represents a small animal that a person can easily kill. The word “sticks” refers to David’s staff and shows Goliath’s opinion that it is not a good weapon. Goliath uses this question to accuse David of insulting him. Alternate translation: “You insult me by coming at me with mere sticks as if I were just a dog!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
17:44 cc8i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field 0 Goliath speaks of killing David and leaving his body on the ground for the animals to eat it as if he were to give David’s body to the animals. Alternate translation: “I will kill you, and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field will eat your body”
17:45 aq63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in the name of Yahweh 0 Here “name” represents God’s power or authority. Alternate translation: “with the power of Yahweh” or “with the authority of Yahweh”
17:46 mcz7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will give the dead bodies … to the birds … and to the wild beasts of the earth 0 David speaks of leading the Israelites in killing the Philistines and leaving their bodies on the ground for the animals to eat them as if he were to give their bodies to the animals. Alternate translation: “We Israelites will kill the Philistine army, and the birds of the heavens and the wild beasts of the earth will eat them”
17:46 h6s8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all the earth may know 0 The word “earth” refers to the people on earth. Alternate translation: “all the people of the earth may know”
17:47 mfy6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh does not give victory with sword or spear 0 Swords and spears are examples of battle weapons. They represent human ways of fighting. Alternate translation: “The victory that Yahweh gives does not depend on sword and spear” or “when Yahweh gives us victory, he does not depend on how we fight”
17:47 duh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the battle is Yahweh’s 0 Winning the battle is spoken of as owning the battle. Alternate translation: “Yahweh always wins the battle” or “the victory belongs to Yahweh”
17:47 n39p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy he will give you into our hand 0 Giving the Philistines into Israel’s hand represents helping Israel to defeat the Philistines in battle. Alternate translation: “he will help us defeat you”
17:50 kd4h David defeated … He hit … killed … There was no sword in David’s hand 0 Verse 50 is a summary of David’s amazing victory over Goliath. The details about how he hit and killed Goliath are in [1 Samuel 17:49](../17/49.md) and 17:51. Some languages do not use summary statements like this. In those situations, translators may restructure the verses as they are in the UST.
17:52 c1ad rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The dead Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim 0 It can be stated clearly that the Israelites were killing the Philistines as they chased them. Alternate translation: “And they killed the Philistines as they chased them, and the bodies of the dead Philistines were on the ground along the way to Shaaraim”
17:55 wk2v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events When Saul saw David 0 The conversation in 17:55–56 happened before David killed Goliath. Alternate translation: “When Saul had seen David” or “Earlier when Saul saw David”
17:55 y16z go out against the Philistine 0 Alternate translation: “go to fight against the Philistine”
17:55 ynx5 whose son is this youth 0 Alternate translation: “who is this youth’s father”
17:55 y7mj As you live 0 This was a way of swearing that what he was about to say was true.
17:56 nt66 whose son the boy is 0 Alternate translation: “who the boy’s father is”
17:57 xp4u in his hand 0 Here “his” refers to David.
17:58 k63k Whose son are you 0 Alternate translation: “Who is your father”
17:58 k634 I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite 0 Alternate translation: “My father is your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite”
17:58 g6vb your servant Jesse 0 David referred to his father as “your servant” to show that his father was faithful to King Saul.
18:intro abci 0 # 1 Samuel 18 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis is the first chapter of a section explaining why Saul wants to kill David.\n\nSome translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 18:7.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Saul is jealous of David’s popularity\nSaul’s son, Jonathan, loves David. David is successful in battling the Philistines, and Saul is happy until the women give David more attention than they give him. He fears that David will replace him as king. This is potentially confusing because the author has already established that David will be the next king. It is probably that Saul feared David would kill him in order to be the next king sooner, or that he did not really believe David would be the next king. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/love]])\n\n### Jonathan’s love of David\nSome scholars believe Jonathan loved David as a man loves his wife. There is no reason to translate this as if Jonathan were a homosexual. Instead, treat this as a brotherly type of love.
18:1 w8c4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David 0 Very close friendship is spoken of as if it were binding together the souls of two people. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Jonathan felt a strong affection towards David” or “Jonathan committed himself to David” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
18:1 k383 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Jonathan loved him as his own soul 0 Here “loved” refers to the love between friends, not romantic love. The word “soul” represents the person or the person’s life. Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself” or “Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life”
18:3 l8pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Jonathan loved him as his own soul 0 Here “loved” refers to the love between friends, not romantic love. The word “soul” represents the person or the person’s life. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 18:1](../18/01.md). Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself” or “Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life”
18:5 w4mv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor This was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants 0 The phrases “in the eyes of” and “in the sight of” mean the same thing. The opinion of the people is spoken of as something that they view as either good or bad. Alternate translation: “This was pleasing in the opinions of all the people and of Saul’s servants” or “This pleased all the people and Saul’s servants”
18:6 v9fv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole from all the cities of Israel 0 This is generalization that emphasizes the great number of women who came from many cities. Alternate translation: “from many of the cities throughout Israel”
18:6 k1rh with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments 0 Alternate translation: “joyfully playing tambourines and other musical instruments”
18:6 qct5 with tambourines 0 A “tambourine” is a small handheld drum.
18:7 ii5a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis David his ten thousands 0 The verb may be supplied from the previous line. Alternate translation: “David has killed his ten thousands”
18:8 xi13 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What more can he have but the monarchy? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The only thing left for him to have is the kingship.”
18:10 iyh1 a harmful spirit from God 0 Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either “a spirit that causes trouble” or “an evil spirit.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 16:15](../16/15.md).
18:10 c8qe a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul 0 The phrase “rushed upon” means the harmful spirit influenced Saul. In this case it means it caused Saul to be troubled and act crazy. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 10:6](../10/06.md).
18:10 me9n he raved 0 Alternate translation: “he acted crazy”
18:12 d2h6 Yahweh was with him 0 Alternate translation: “Yahweh was with David”
18:13 a354 So Saul removed him from his presence 0 Alternate translation: “So Saul removed David from his presence”
18:13 uwr1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers a commander of a thousand 0 This could mean: (1) the word “thousand” represents the exact amount of soldiers that he would lead. Alternate translation: “a commander of 1,000 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “thousand” does not represent exact number, but is the name of a large military division. Alternate translation: “a commander of a large military division” See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 17:18](../17/18.md).
18:13 zlq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom David went out and came in before the people 0 Here “the people” refers to the soldiers under David’s command. The phrases “went out” and “came in” are idioms that refer to leading the people into battle and leading them home from battle. Alternate translation: “David led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
18:15 cml9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he stood in awe of him 0 Here “stood in awe” is an idiom that means to fear. Alternate translation: “he feared David”
18:16 bgb3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all Israel and Judah loved David 0 Here “Israel and Judah” represent the people of all of the tribes. Alternate translation: “all the people in Israel and Judah loved David”
18:16 c9ce rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom went out and came in before them 0 The phrases “went out” and “came in” are idioms that refer to leading the people into battle and leading them home from battle. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 18:13](../18/13.md). Alternate translation: “led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle”
18:17 ptz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Let not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him 0 Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one’s hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. Alternate translation: “I will not be the one to kill him; I will let the Philistines kill him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])
18:18 ij43 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who am I, and who are my relatives, or my father’s clan in Israel … to the king? 0 David uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he is not worthy of being Saul’s son-in-law. Alternate translation: “I am nobody and neither my relatives nor my father’s family are important enough in Israel … to the king.”
18:19 imc2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when Saul should have given his daughter Merab to David”
18:19 vdc5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive she was given to Adriel 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Saul gave her to Adriel”
18:21 dd2e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor that the hand of the Philistines may be against him 0 Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one’s hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 18:17](../18/17.md). Alternate translation: “so that the Philistines may kill him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])
18:23 eps5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is it a small matter to you to be the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? 0 David asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that he is not worthy to be the king’s son-in-law. Alternate translation: “It is a great matter to be the king’s son-in-law, and I am too poor and unimportant for that.”
18:25 a18a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis The king does not desire any price for the bride except a hundred foreskins 0 The verb for the second phrase may be supplied from the first. Alternate translation: “The king does not desire any price for the bride; he desires only that you bring to him 100 foreskins” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
18:25 wjv8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive to be avenged from the king’s enemies 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to get revenge on the king’s enemies”
18:25 a2us rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines 0 Here “fall” means to die. The phrase “by the hand” is an idiom that tells us the means by which something will happen, in this case, David will be killed by the Philistines. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to have the Philistines kill David” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
18:27 f14u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred Philistines 0 This can be rendered numerically. Alternate translation: “200 Philistines”
18:28 rjc2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet Saul saw, and he knew 0 Here the words “saw” and “knew” share similar meanings and emphasize that Saul knew with certainty. Alternate translation: “Saul recognized”
18:30 z7de rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy so that his name was highly regarded 0 Here “name” is a metonym for David. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so that people greatly respected David” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
19:intro abcj 0 # 1 Samuel 19 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### God protects David\n\nJonathan persuades Saul not to kill David, but Saul again becomes jealous and orders his servants to bring David to him to be killed. God uses Michal to save David. David flees to Samuel and they begin prophesying. When Saul sends servants to capture David, they begin prophesying. This causes Saul to go himself and he begins to prophesy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/jealous]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/save]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])
19:1 zd9j to all his servants 0 Here “his” refers to Saul.
19:1 u5h5 took great pleasure in David 0 Jonathan greatly enjoyed being with David.
19:4 rf2u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns Do not let the king sin against his servant 0 Jonathan speaks as if Saul is another person to show Saul that Jonathan respects Saul. Alternate translation: “Do not sin against your servant”
19:5 z29d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he took his life in his hand 0 Here “life in his hand” is an idiom that refers to risking his life. Alternate translation: “he risked his life”
19:5 q7ya rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason? 0 Jonathan asks this question to rebuke Saul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not sin against innocent blood and kill David without cause.”
19:5 ep2k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy sin against innocent blood 0 Here “blood” is a metonym for the life of an innocent person. Alternate translation: “commit the sin of murder”
19:6 mg7b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he will not be put to death 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will not put him to death” or “I will not kill him” or “I will certainly keep him alive”
19:7 zv18 he was in his presence 0 David was in Saul’s presence.
19:9 bfj9 A harmful spirit from Yahweh 0 Here “harmful spirit” may refer to either “a spirit that causes trouble” or “an evil spirit.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 16:14](../16/14.md).
19:10 gmw1 pin David to the wall with the spear 0 throw his spear so it would go through David and into the wall
19:11 di9d he might kill him 0 Alternate translation: “Saul might kill David”
19:11 zcu4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom If you do not save your life 0 Here “save your life” is an idiom that refers to escape. Alternate translation: “If you do not escape”
19:11 www7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive you will be killed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone will kill you”
19:12 rx5e 0 # General Information:\n\nMichal helps David escape King Saul. She uses a household idol to make David’s bed look like he is sleeping in it.
19:13 pt3r she put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head, and covered it with the clothes 0 This could mean: (1) the head of the idol was lying on the goat’s hair pillow and Michal dressed the idol in David’s clothes or (2) Michal used David’s clothes as a blanket to completely cover the idol and made the “pillow” of goat’s hair look like David’s hair sticking out from under the blanket of clothes.
19:15 uu8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Bring him up to me in the bed 0 The reason why the men thought David was in bed can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “If he really is too sick to come to me, bring me the bed with him in it”
19:17 gw6j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why have you deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped? 0 This could mean: (1) Saul really wants to know why Michal did what she did or (2) Saul uses this question to rebuke Michal. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not have deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped.”
19:17 g47n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Let me go. Why should I kill you? 0 Although David did not actually say this, Michal tells Saul that David threatened her with this question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will kill you if you do not help me to escape.”
19:19 v5b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive It was told to Saul 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul”
19:20 a8aj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy standing as head over them 0 Here “head” refers to a position of authority. Alternate translation: “acting as their leader”
19:21 nrq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive When Saul was told this 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “When someone told Saul this”
19:22 l3p8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ramah … Seku … Naioth 0 These are place names.
19:24 tj4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs This is why they ask, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 0 This became a proverb among the Israelites. Apparently people said this to express surprise when a person unexpectedly did something that he had not done before. The implied meaning of the question can be stated explicitly. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 10:12](../10/12.md). Alternate translation: “That is the reason that when people see someone doing something that is very unexpected, they say, ‘Is Saul also a prophet?’” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
19:24 knd8 they ask 0 Here “they” refers to people in general. The question became a proverb among the people.
20:intro abck 0 # 1 Samuel 20 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Jonathan warns David\n\nDavid tells Jonathan that Saul is still trying to kill him. Jonathan promises to find out if this is true. When David misses dinner two consecutive days, Saul asks about him. Jonathan says that David went home for an annual sacrifice. Saul gets angry at Jonathan, telling him he will never be king unless they kill David. Saul throws his spear at Jonathan. Jonathan warns David to run away, but first they both promise to always be friends. It was usually a king’s son who became king after his death in the ancient Near East. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Metaphor\n\nDavid uses a powerful metaphor and an oath to impress Jonathan with the danger he is in: “But as truly as Yahweh lives, and as you live, there is but a step between me and death.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
20:1 tia6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks to take my life? 0 These three questions mean basically the same thing. David uses them to emphasize that he has done nothing wrong to Saul. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong. I have not committed any iniquity. I have not sinned against your father. He has no reason to take my life.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
20:1 g2ib rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom that he seeks to take my life? 0 Here “take my life” is an idiom for “kill me.”
20:2 e1je rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Far from it 0 Here “far from it” is an idiom that refers to that it is not true. Alternate translation: “This is certainly not true”
20:2 jbn3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism nothing either great or small 0 The words “great or small” include everything in between. Alternate translation: “nothing at all”
20:2 w2w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should my father hide this thing from me? 0 Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that Saul would have told him if he planned to kill David. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “My father has no reason to hide this thing from me!” or “If this thing were true, my father would certainly let me know!”
20:3 kn7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I have found favor in your eyes 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “I have pleased you” or “you consider me favorably”
20:3 t6cz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he will be grieved 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this will grieve him” or “he will be very sad”
20:3 thq7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom there is but a step between me and death 0 Here “step between me and death” is an idiom that refers to being very close to death. Alternate translation: “I am very close to death”
20:7 x3iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant will have peace 0 David speaks of himself as if he were another person to show that he respects Jonathan. Alternate translation: “I, your servant, will have peace”
20:8 avp9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns with your servant … have brought your servant 0 David speak of himself in the third person as a form of humility. Alternate translation: “with me, your servant … have brought me, your servant” or “with me … have brought me”
20:8 ap89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you 0 What it was that the two men agreed on can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Yahweh heard you when you made a solemn agreement with me that you and I will always be good friends”
20:8 hbz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion for why then should you bring me to your father? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “then there would be no reason for you to bring me to your father”
20:9 ge5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Far be it from you! 0 This is an idiom that means it will never happen to you. Alternate translation: “This will never happen to you!”
20:9 lt9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion would I not tell you? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I would certainly tell you.”
20:12 y3r1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion will I not then send to you and make it known to you? 0 Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that he will tell David if Saul intends to harm him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “then I will certainly send to you and make it known to you”
20:13 yn8n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom may Yahweh do to Jonathan and more also 0 This is an idiom. Jonathan uses this oath for emphasis and speaks of himself as if he were another person. Alternate translation: “may Yahweh do to me whatever harm my father intends to do to you, and even more than that” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns]])
20:14 az7y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion will you not show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die? 0 Jonathan asks this question to confirm that David will do this. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “please show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die”
20:14 q324 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh 0 The abstract noun **faithfulness** can be stated as **faithful**. Here, **of Yahweh** could mean: (1) “be faithful to me as Yahweh is faithful” or (2) “be faithful to me as Yahweh requires”
20:16 n5b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of David 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the people who live in the house. Alternate translation: “David’s family”
20:16 wvm6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche May Yahweh require an accounting from the hand of the enemies of David 0 The hand is a synecdoche for the person. This could mean: (1) “May Yahweh use David’s enemies to punish David if David breaks this promise” or (2) “May Yahweh destroy the enemies of David.”
20:17 l3uj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he loved him as he loved his own soul 0 Here “his own soul” refers to himself. Alternate translation: “Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself”
20:18 f5bi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive You will be missed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My father will miss you”
20:19 ki6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom when the business was in hand 0 Here “business was in hand” is an idiom that refers to when everything happened. Alternate translation: “when everything happened”
20:19 h78l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the stone Ezel 0 “Ezel” was the name of the stone. Alternate translation: “the stone that people call Ezel”
20:21 qr7r Look 0 Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”
20:21 qbg1 then come 0 Alternate translation: “then you, David, come”
20:22 ch37 Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nJonathan continues to speak to David.
20:23 r1jg see, Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) “we know that Yahweh” or (2) “pay attention because this is important: Yahweh.”
20:23 hmt6 Yahweh is between you and me 0 This could mean: (1) “Yahweh is a witness between you and me” or “Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other” or (2) “May Yahweh be a witness between you and me” or “May Yahweh watch how we treat each other”
20:26 j8dr He is not clean; surely he is not clean 0 According to the law of Moses, a person who is ceremonially unclean is not to participate in the feast until the priest declares that he is clean. Saul repeats this phrase as if he is trying to convince himself.
20:28 e5rh asked permission from me to go 0 Alternate translation: “asked me to allow him to go”
20:29 h84j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor if I have found favor in your eyes 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 20:3](../20/03.md). Alternate translation: “I have pleased you” or “you consider me favorably”
20:29 j146 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns the king’s table 0 Jonathan speaks of Saul as if he is another person to show that he respects Saul. Alternate translation: “your table”
20:30 yn6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan 0 Here “anger burned” is a metonym that refers to becoming very angry. Alternate translation: “Saul became very angry with Jonathan”
20:30 vv24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! 0 This is an idiom. Saul uses this phrase as a harsh rebuke to Jonathan and his concern for David. Alternate translation: “You stupid son of a prostitute” or “You stupid traitor”
20:30 yr6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse … mother’s nakedness? 0 Saul uses this question to emphasize that he knows that Jonathan and David are friends. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse … mother’s nakedness.”
20:30 g94g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to the shame of your mother’s nakedness 0 Here “mother’s nakedness” is an idiom that refers to the mother who gave birth to you. Alternate translation: “to the shame of your mother who gave birth to you”
20:31 zl6b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive neither you nor your kingdom will be established 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will not become king and will not establish your kingdom”
20:32 ux46 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion For what reason should he be put to death? What has he done? 0 Jonathan is trying to get Saul to think carefully about what he is doing. This can be translated as a statement, and the words “should he be put to death” can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You have no good reason to put him to death. He has done nothing wrong.” or “You have no good reason to kill him. He has done nothing wrong.”
20:34 uth1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal the second day of the month 0 This “second” is an ordinal number which refers to two. Alternate translation: “the second day of the new moon festival”
20:34 brk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he was grieved over David 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he was grieving over David”
20:37 d85z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not the arrow beyond you? 0 Jonathan uses this question to emphasize that the arrow is farther ahead of the young man. The uses of litotes also emphasizes this. The rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that the arrow is beyond you.” or “The arrow is far beyond you.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
20:38 s42f called after the young man, “Hurry 0 Alternate translation: “called out to the young man, who was running away from him, ‘Hurry”
20:41 b73c the mound 0 It seems that David had hidden behind a pile of earth or stones.
20:41 pg9k lay facedown on the ground, and bowed himself three times. 0 David bowed before Jonathan, who was still the King’s son, worthy of such respect. Also, this was the last time David met with Jonathan.
20:42 t28c May Yahweh be between you and me 0 This could mean: (1) “Yahweh is a witness between you and me” or “Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other” or (2) “May Yahweh be a witness between you and me” or “May Yahweh watch how we treat each other.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 20:23](../20/23.md).
21:intro abcl 0 # 1 Samuel 21 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 21:11.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David and the chief priest\n\nDavid visits the chief priest and lies to him about being on a special mission for the king. He asks for food, weapons, and prayer. The chief priest gives him some sacred bread and Goliath’s sword and prays for him.\n\n### David and the king of Gath\n\nDavid flees to Gath. The advisers to the king tell him that David is almost the king of Israel. David becomes afraid of the king and pretends to be insane.\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nThe king of Gath’s advisers use two rhetorical questions to warn him about how dangerous David could be: “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
21:2 lr5b on a mission 0 Alternate translation: “to do work for him”
21:2 hbb3 I have directed the young men to a certain place 0 Alternate translation: “I have told the young men to go to another place, and I will meet them there later”
21:3 y8wx Now then 0 David is starting a new part of the conversation.
21:3 q67h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy what do you have on hand? 0 Here “on hand” is a metonym meaning “available.” Alternate translation: “What food do you have that you can give me?”
21:4 a4hh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis if the young men have kept themselves from women 0 This can be translated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “Your men may eat it if they have not slept with women recently”
21:5 u5gt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive women have been kept from us 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “we have kept ourselves from women”
21:5 n9cf rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three days 0 “3 days”
21:5 xaa6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The things belonging to the men have been set apart 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The men have set what belongs to them apart”
21:5 hx9a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive How much more today will what they have be set apart 0 This is a statement, not a question. It can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “It is especially true today that they will set apart what they have”
21:6 u4vn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the bread that was set apart 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the bread that the priests had set apart”
21:6 vbr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “which the priests had removed from before Yahweh so that they could put”
21:7 tmz8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive detained before Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) Doeg had some religious work regarding Yahweh to do there. Alternate translation: “for some work before Yahweh” or (2) Yahweh detained Doeg there. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh had detained him there”
21:7 z642 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Doeg … herdsmen 0 You may need to say clearly that Doeg saw what David did. Alternate translation: “Doeg … herdsmen, and he saw what Ahimelech did”
21:7 zg8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Doeg the Edomite 0 This is the name of a man from the land of Edom.
21:8 xr45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Now is there not here on hand any spear or sword? 0 Here “on hand” is a metonym meaning “available.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:3](../21/03.md). Alternate translation: “Do you have a spear or sword that you can give me?”
21:9 rpf7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Valley of Elah 0 This is the name of a place in Israel.
21:11 zg9d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Is not this David, the king of the land? 0 They were probably exaggerating when they said that David was king of the land. They used this question to imply that David was a powerful enemy and Achish should not let him stay there. Alternate translation: “You know that this is David, who is as dangerous as the king of the land” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
21:11 sc99 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, ‘Saul … thousands?’ 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that when the people of the land were dancing, they sang to each other about him, ‘Saul … thousands.’”
21:12 rqg7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy David took these words to heart 0 Here “took … to heart” is a metonym to think seriously about what was said. Alternate translation: “David thought seriously about what the servants said”
21:13 ai6n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche in their hands 0 Here “hands” are a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “in their presence”
21:14 w6kd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why have you brought him to me? 0 This could mean: (1) Achish demands that his servants explain why they have brought David to him or (2) Achish is scolding them with a rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “You should have known not to bring him to me.”
21:15 kl34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do I lack madmen, so that you have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence? 0 This rhetorical question is a rebuke. Alternate translation: “There are enough madmen here who waste my time. You should not have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
21:15 k152 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will this fellow really come into my house? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not allow this fellow to enter my house.”
22:intro abcm 0 # 1 Samuel 22 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThere are two stories in this chapter: David gathering a group of followers and Saul having all the priests and their families killed. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]])\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David assembles a force of unhappy people\n\nDavid hides in the wilderness, and people in trouble come to him. Soon he has a force of 500 men. The prophet then tells him to leave the wilderness. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])\n\n### Saul and the chief priest’s family\nDoeg tells Saul that Ahimelech the priest gave David food and a sword and prayed for him. Saul accuses the priests of encouraging David to rebel. This is a serious accusation because the priests are God’s representatives and are rebelling against God’s king if the accusation is true. Saul has the priests and all their families killed except those who escape to David. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/highpriest]])
22:1 wbc2 cave 0 a hollow space under the ground, generally opening into the side of a hill, large enough for people to enter
22:2 x1s9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Everyone who was in distress … everyone who was discontented 0 This is a generalization. Alternate translation: “Many people who were distressed … many people who were unhappy”
22:3 p6t8 go out with you 0 David wanted his parents to live with the king of Moab so that King Saul would not be able to harm them. Translators can express his basic meaning by using the ideas of “come to stay with you,” “stay with you,” or “live here with you,” as in the UST.
22:5 ir3x go into the land of Judah 0 Alternate translation: “go to your home land of Judah”
22:5 xg56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Hereth 0 This is the name of a city.
22:6 jvw8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive David had been discovered, along with the men who were with him 0 Saul was most interested in David, so the writer mentions the other men separately. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone had discovered where David and all the men who were with him were hiding”
22:6 yk86 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown the tamarisk tree 0 This is a type of tree. Alternate translation: “a large shade tree”
22:6 bpn2 in Ramah 0 Ramah is the name of a place in Gibeah. The name means “high place.” This could mean: (1) it refers here to the place called Ramah, or (2) it refers to any high place. Alternate translation: “on a hill”
22:7 h9sv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? 0 Saul uses a question to emphasize that David, who is from the tribe of Judah, does not desire to do this for the people of the tribe of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “The son of Jesse will not give you fields or vineyards.”
22:7 ft1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Will the son of Jesse give 0 The time when he will give can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “When the son of Jesse becomes king, will he give”
22:7 p8rr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds 0 Saul uses a question to emphasize that David, who is from the tribe of Judah, does not desire to do this for the people of the tribe of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “He will not make you captains of thousands and captains of hundreds”
22:7 hy7f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Will he make you all captains 0 You may need to make explicit when he will make them captains. Alternate translation: “When he becomes king, will he make you all captains”
22:7 ktw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers captains of thousands and captains of hundreds 0 This could mean: (1) these numbers represent the exact amount of soldiers that these captains led. Alternate translation: “captains of 1,000 soldiers and captains of 100 soldiers” or (2) the words translated as “thousands” and “hundreds” do not represent exact numbers, but are the names of larger and smaller military divisions. Alternate translation: “captains of large military divisions and captains of smaller military divisions” See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 17:18](../17/18.md).
22:9 e96p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Doeg the Edomite 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:7](../21/07.md).
22:9 mj61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nob … Ahimelech 0 This is a place name and the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:1](../21/01.md).
22:9 kcg3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ahitub 0 This is the name of a man.
22:14 mme1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who among all your servants is so faithful as David … house? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “None of your servants is as faithful as David … house.”
22:14 aui9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy is honored in your house 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom your family honors” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
22:15 sq72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is today the first time I have prayed to God to help him? 0 Ahimelech asks himself this question before Saul can ask it, then immediately answers it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “This is not the first time I have prayed to God to help David.”
22:15 aw6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Far be it from me! 0 This idiom means “Absolutely not!”
22:15 zpx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant knows nothing 0 Ahimelech speaks of himself in the third person as the “servant.” Ahimelech also refers to Saul in the third person as “the king.” Ahimelech speaks this way to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “Please, King Saul, do not consider me, your servant, or anyone in the house of my father to be guilty. For I know nothing”
22:15 qbw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to all the house of my father 0 Here “house” represents “family.” Alternate translation: “to all my father’s family”
22:16 kbw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy your father’s house 0 The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. Alternate translation: “your father’s family” or “your father’s descendants”
22:17 dgp5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Turn and kill 0 Here “Turn” means to turn around or turn away from the king. Alternate translation: “Go and kill” or “Kill”
22:17 nr49 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche their hand also is with David 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for the work done with the hand. Alternate translation: “they also help David”
22:17 gd4u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy would not put out their hand to kill 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for the work done with the hand. Alternate translation: “did not do anything to kill” or “refused to kill”
22:18 kxa2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Turn and kill the priests … turned and attacked the priests 0 Here “Turn” means to turn around or turn away from the king. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 22:17](../22/17.md). Alternate translation: “Go and kill the priests … went and attacked” or “Kill the priest … attacked the priests”
22:18 g41e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked … he killed 0 This could mean: (1) Doeg killed all the priests himself or (2) the word “Doeg” is a synecdoche for Doeg and the men who went with him. Alternate translation: “Doeg the Edomite and his men turned and attacked … they killed” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
22:18 lsc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Doeg the Edomite 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:7](../21/07.md).
22:19 qi5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit He also put to the sword … he put to the sword 0 This could mean: (1) Doeg killed all the priests himself or (2) the word “Doeg” is a synecdoche for Doeg and the men who went with him. Alternate translation: “They also put to the sword … they put to the sword” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
22:19 ru75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nob 0 Nob is the name of a city. Here the name “Nob” represents the people of that city. Alternate translation: “the people in the city of Nob” or “the people of Nob” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
22:20 g9ps rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abiathar 0 This is a man’s name.
23:intro abcn 0 # 1 Samuel 23 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Saul chases David\n\nSaul wants to kill David, but David trusts in God who keeps rescuing him. David rescues the town of Keilah from the Philistines who are stealing their harvest. Saul goes to Keilah to capture David, but David flees to the wilderness near Ziph. When David goes deeper into the wilderness, Saul follows but he has to leave to fight the Philistines who have invaded the land. Saul’s pursuit of David shows that Saul cares more about killing his enemies than pleasing God. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Synecdoche\n\nJonathan strengthens David with a synecdoche: “For the hand of Saul my father will not find you.” This helps to strengthen David’s faith. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]])
23:1 by75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names fighting against Keilah 0 “Keilah” is the name of a town. Here “Keilah” represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “fighting against the people of Keilah” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
23:3 e1kx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We will be even more fearful if we go to Keilah to fight the armies of the Philistines.”
23:5 ij1x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche went … fought … led … struck … saved 0 The writer pays the most attention to David, so these words are all singular, though David’s men helped him do all these things.
23:6 jj3s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ahimelech 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:1](../21/01.md).
23:7 fhu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Saul was told 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “They told Saul”
23:8 rz5t summoned 0 officially called. The reader should understand that Saul probably told his officials to gather the soldiers. He did not call with a loud voice to get them to come.
23:8 wdl8 all his forces 0 Alternate translation: “all his soldiers”
23:10 f699 David said 0 Alternate translation: “David asked” or “David prayed”
23:10 g8im rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant has indeed heard 0 David speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I have indeed heard”
23:11 m2bi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns as your servant has heard … tell your servant 0 David speaks as if he were someone else to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “as I have heard … tell me”
23:11 dwu8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy surrender me into his hand 0 Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “give me over to Saul”
23:12 w6q4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul 0 Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “give me and my men over to Saul”
23:13 e3rt rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers six hundred 0 “600”
23:13 wu5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive It was told Saul 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “They told Saul”
23:14 xlb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names wilderness of Ziph 0 This is the name of a deserted area near the city of Ziph.
23:14 h9gh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy did not give him into his hand 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “did not allow Saul to have power over David” or “did not allow Saul to do as he desired with David” or “did not allow Saul to capture David”
23:15 mvb2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom seek his life 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “try to kill him”
23:15 gv8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Horesh 0 This is the name of city near Ziph.
23:16 c2id rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom strengthened his hand in God 0 This is an idiom. AT “encouraged him to trust in God”
23:17 lm7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy For the hand of Saul my father will not find you 0 Here “hand” is a metonym for Saul and his power. Alternate translation: “For Saul my father will not find you” or “For Saul my father will never be able to have power over you”
23:19 zz5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ziphites 0 This is the name of the people group from Ziph.
23:19 t8kp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not David hiding among us in … Jeshimon? 0 This rhetorical question can be translated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “David is hiding among us in … Jeshimon!”
23:19 f1lt rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the hill of Hakilah 0 This is the name of a hill in the wilderness of Judah.
23:19 n8vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jeshimon 0 This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.”
23:20 tx3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns surrender him into the king’s hand 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for power. The Ziphites speak to Saul as if he were another man to show him that they respect him. Alternate translation: “give David to you so you can do whatever you desire with him” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
23:21 udu8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive May you be blessed by Yahweh 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I hope that Yahweh blesses you”
23:21 yr45 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns you have had compassion on me 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **compassion**, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “kind.” Saul says this because they had told him about David and they were willing to help Saul capture David. Alternate translation: “you have been kind to me” or “you have kindly told this to me”
23:22 vg7r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet Learn and find out 0 These two words mean almost the same thing and can be translated as one phrase. Alternate translation: “Know for sure”
23:22 i9bi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive It is told to me 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “People tell me” or “I have heard”
23:23 iy51 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom among all the thousands of Judah 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “even if I have to arrest every man in Judah” or “among all the clans of Judah”
23:24 q42a rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jeshimon 0 This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 23:19](../23/19.md).
23:24 ij6r rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the wilderness of Maon 0 This is the name of the deserted area around the city of Maon in southern Judah.
23:25 wnj2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive David was told of it 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone told David that they were coming” or “David learned that they were coming”
23:27 j8yv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys Hurry and come 0 The words “hurry” and “come” can be combined into one idea. Alternate translation: “Come quickly”
23:28 fy6k pursuing David 0 Alternate translation: “chasing David, trying to catch him”
23:28 qaa2 Rock of Escape 0 a memorial or marker of David’s escape from Saul
24:intro abco 0 # 1 Samuel 24 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\nEven though Saul tries again and again to kill David, David does not avenge himself on Saul because God had chosen Saul as king. This is meant to contrast with Saul’s treatment of David, the future king. Saul represents the king the people wanted, a selfish man. David is the king God wanted, a godly man. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/avenge]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/elect]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/godly]])
24:4 g5sy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom David arose and quietly crept 0 The word “arose” is an idiom for taking action. Alternate translation: “David took action; he quietly crept”
24:5 c41t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom David’s heart afflicted him 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “David was sad because he had done something wrong”
24:6 p9l3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to put out my hand against him 0 The hand is a metonym for the ability to cause harm. Alternate translation: “to harm him in any way”
24:9 n22d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why do you listen to the men who say, ‘See, David is seeking your harm? 0 This is a rhetorical question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not listen to the men who say, ‘See, David is seeking to harm you.”
24:10 v731 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche your eyes have seen 0 Here “your eyes” represent King Saul. Alternate translation: “you have seen with your own eyes”
24:10 xib3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy put you into my hand 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for control. Alternate translation: “put you where I could kill you or allow you to live”
24:11 dhu3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor there is no evil or treason in my hand 0 David speaks as if evil and treason were physical objects he could hold in his hand. Here “hand” represents a person acting or doing something. Alternate translation: “I have done no evil deed against you, nor have I rebelled against you” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
24:12 f9tq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy my hand shall not be against you 0 The hand is a metonym for the ability to cause harm. See how you translated a similar phrase in [1 Samuel 24:6](../24/06.md). Alternate translation: “I will not harm you in any way”
24:13 wss6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj ancients 0 This nominal adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “people who lived long ago”
24:14 ng1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? 0 These rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. When David asks the questions, he knows that he will answer the questions himself. Alternate translation: “Let me tell you who the king of Israel has come out after. Let me tell you who it is that you are pursuing.”
24:14 jfp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor After a dead dog 0 The words “dead dog” are a metaphor for a powerless person. This sentence can be made complete. Alternate translation: “You are pursuing a person who is as powerless as a dead dog” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
24:14 u7sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor After a flea 0 The word “flea” is a metaphor for a person whom others do not consider important. Alternate translation: “You are pursuing a person who is as unimportant as a flea” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
24:15 cbv2 see to it, and plead my cause 0 This could mean: (1) “do what is right, and plead my cause” or (2) “see that my cause is right and fight for me.”
24:15 g89c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from your hand 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for power. Alternate translation: “so that you have no power over me”
24:16 wzm1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son David 0 Saul speaks as if David were his son to show David that he loves him.
24:16 jg3p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor lifted up his voice and wept 0 The writer writes as if a voice were something a person could lift up with his hands. Alternate translation: “wept loudly”
24:18 vh22 you have done good to me 0 Saul acknowledges that David did show that he supported King Saul and was loyal to him by not killing him.
24:18 p931 for you did not kill me when Yahweh had put me at your mercy 0 Saul acknowledges that David chose to show mercy and demonstrated his loyalty to King Saul as Yahweh’s anointed.
24:19 s8ie rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely? 0 A rhetorical question with the answer included in the question. Alternate translation: “For if a man finds his enemy, he will not let him go safely.”
24:19 p5v5 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely? 0 Where Saul had believed David was his enemy, he learns that even though David will be king, David will not take over the throne from Saul by force, but will wait for Yahweh’s appointed time.
24:20 j61i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) David will cause the kingdom of Israel to prosper through his power as king. Alternate translation: “the kingdom of Israel will prosper as you rule the Israelite people” or (2) Yahweh will cause David to have complete control over the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “you will have complete rule over the kingdom of Israel”
24:20 ge3u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in your hand 0 The word “hand” is a metonym that represents power or control.
24:21 lj2i you will not cut off my descendants after me 0 “you will not kill my sons and their families.” It was common for a new king who was not from the previous family line to kill off all the children of the former king to prevent any of them from challenging him for the throne.
24:21 hr5u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house 0 It is important for each family in Israel to have descendants from generation to generation carrying on the family name and land inheritance. Alternate translation: “you will not destroy my family and descendants” or “you will allow my family to live”
24:22 yhv6 David and his men 0 Alternate translation: “David and his army”
25:intro abcp 0 # 1 Samuel 25 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Revenge\n\nWhen David decides to kill all of the men in Nabal’s household, Abigail convinces David not to avenge himself but to leave revenge to God. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/avenge]])
25:1 nvn1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole All Israel gathered together and mourned for him 0 This is likely a generalization. A large number of the people of Israel were probably there, but some were probably unable to attend.
25:1 xdb3 gathered together 0 Alternate translation: “met together”
25:1 n1il buried him in his house at Ramah 0 This could mean that they buried Samuel: (1) in his home town of Ramah or (2) on his family’s land in Ramah but not physically in the house or (3) in his house in Ramah.
25:1 l3mw David rose and went down 0 Alternate translation: “David and his men moved on and they went down”
25:2 na8t There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. The man was very wealthy. 0 Some translators may need to put the ideas in these verses in a different order. Alternate translation: “There was a very wealthy man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel.”
25:2 e5y9 shearing his sheep 0 Alternate translation: “shaving the wool off his sheep”
25:3 b2de The man’s name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings. He was a descendant of the house of Caleb. 0 This verse give some background information about the man Nabal and his character. Some translators may need to put the ideas in this verse in a different order. Alternate translation: “Now the man was a descendant of the house of Caleb. His name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings.”
25:3 h65t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nabal 0 This is the name of a man.
25:3 s9ja rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abigail 0 This is the name of a woman.
25:3 r2tp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy He was a descendant of the house of Caleb 0 Here “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “He was a descendant of the family of Caleb” or “He was a descendant of Caleb”
25:6 n38g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns Live in prosperity 0 “I desire that you may live in prosperity.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **prosperity**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I desire that you possess many good things as long as you live”
25:6 x8p8 Peace to you and peace to your house, and peace be to all that you have 0 Alternate translation: “I desire that peace may come to you, your household and your possessions”
25:7 u29d you have shearers 0 “your shearers are working” or “your shearers have sheep to shear.” David wants his men to speak so that Nabal understands that his sheep were well because David’s men helped guard them.
25:7 d9si rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes we did them no harm, and they missed nothing 0 David is pointing out how he and his men offered protection to Nabal’s servants and flocks. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “we kept them and all their property from harm”
25:8 yvj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor let my young men find favor in your eyes 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “may you be pleased with my young men” or “may you consider my young men favorably”
25:10 zp6r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? 0 Nabal used questions to emphasize that he had no reason to help Daved. These two rhetorical questions can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “This David son of Jesse you speak of—I do not know him.” or “I do not know who this David is, so I will not do as he says. I do not know who Jesse is, so I do not care what happens to his son.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
25:11 f631 men who come from I do not know where 0 Alternate translation: “men when I do not know where they have come from” or “men whom I do not know”
25:12 b8ir rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that was said 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that Nabal had said”
25:13 pbs3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy “Every man strap on his sword.” So every man strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword 0 If swords are not known in your language, you can treat “strap on his sword” as a metonym meaning to prepare for war. Alternate translation: “‘Every man, prepare for war.’ And every man prepared for war. David also prepared for war”
25:13 gl14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers four hundred 0 400
25:13 j4qd rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred 0 200
25:14 y9qi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife 0 You may need to make explicit what the young man did before he spoke with Abigail. Alternate translation: “One of Nabal’s servants found out what David and his men were planning to do, so he went to Nabal’s wife Abigail”
25:15 pr5i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive We were not harmed 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Nobody harmed us” or “We were safe”
25:15 p6bs did not miss anything as long as we went with them 0 “we did not lose anything when we were with them.” David’s men kept wild animals and other people from stealing Nabal’s flocks.
25:16 ibg5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They were a wall 0 David’s men were like a wall around a city that protects the people in the city from their enemies.
25:17 r8ec rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive evil is plotted against our master 0 The speaker is careful not to name the one plotting the evil. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone is plotting to do evil things to our master”
25:17 gu63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns our master 0 The speaker speaks of David as if David were another person to show that he respects David. Alternate translation: “you”
25:18 y9ci rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred 0 200
25:18 av2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit loaves 0 A loaf is like a cake. You may need to make explicit what the loaves consisted of. Alternate translation: “loaves of bread”
25:21 nzw1 Now David had said, “Surely … for good. 0 The reader needs to understand that David had said these things before he said, “Every man strap on his sword” in [1 Samuel 25:13](../25/13.md).
25:21 n566 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes nothing was missed of all that belonged to him 0 This can be stated positively and in active form. Alternate translation: “he still has everything that was his” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
25:22 zn6m May God do so to me … belong to him 0 The reader needs to understand that David had said these things before he said, “Every man strap on his sword” in [1 Samuel 25:13](../25/13.md).
25:22 cg4h May God do so to me, David 0 The Hebrew text has “May God strike the enemies of David,” and some versions follow this. However, the reading of the ULT follows the main Greek tradition of the Old Testament, as some other modern versions do.
25:22 l2bk all who belong 0 Alternate translation: “all the people who belong to him” or “those in his family”
25:23 l5ga lay before David facedown and bowed herself to the ground 0 Abigail was being humble and showing that she would obey David because he was a powerful leader.
25:24 c4nh listen to 0 Alternate translation: “hear”
25:24 ljp8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns my master … your servant … words of your servant 0 “David … me … my words.” Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David.
25:25 q94v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns Let not my master regard … I your servant … the young men of my master 0 Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are other people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “Do not regard … I … your young men”
25:25 zwq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But I … did not see … whom you sent 0 You may need to make explicit what Abigail would have done. Alternate translation: “But if I … had seen … whom you sent, I would have given them food”
25:26 tc8r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns my master … my master 0 Abigail speaks of David as if he is another person to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “David … you”
25:26 j55q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy avenging yourself with your own hand 0 The hand is a metonym for what a person does with the hand. Abigail assumes that David should allow Yahweh to take vengeance for him. Alternate translation: “taking vengeance yourself instead of letting Yahweh do it” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
25:26 p12k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit let your enemies … be like Nabal 0 Abigail speaks as if Yahweh has already punished Nabal. Alternate translation: “I hope that Yahweh will punish your enemies … as he will punish Nabal” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture]])
25:27 lh33 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive let this present that your servant has brought to my master be given to the young men 0 Abigail uses the passive to show her respect for David. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “please give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men” or “please let my master give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men”
25:27 yj2z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant has … my master … my master 0 Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “I have … you … you”
25:28 m9sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns the trespass of your servant … my master … my master is 0 Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “my trespass … you … you are”
25:28 iqt4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yahweh will certainly make my master a sure house 0 Here “house” is an idiom used for “descendants.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh will ensure that my master always has a descendant who serves as king”
25:28 cd6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive evil will not be found in you 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one will ever see you do any evil thing” or “you will never do anything evil”
25:29 pf24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the life of my master will be bound in the bundle of the living by Yahweh your God 0 Abigail speaks of David’s life as if it were a long and thin object that a person could put with other long and thin objects and then tie together into a bundle with a rope. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh your God will bind the life of my master in the bundle of the living” or “Yahweh your God will keep you alive with those who are alive” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
25:29 tyz3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns the life of my master 0 Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two different people to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “your life”
25:29 m3ub rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he will sling away the lives of your enemies, as from the pocket of a sling 0 Abigail speaks of David’s enemies’ lives as if they were small objects like a stone that could be put in a sling and shot a long distance. Alternate translation: “he will kill your enemies as easily as a man slings a stone a long distance”
25:29 mm76 a sling 0 a piece of animal skin with long cords at both ends in which a person can put a stone or other small, hard object and throw it a long distance
25:30 u6qu Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nAbigail continues to reason with David.
25:30 m21u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns my master 0 Abigail speaks of David as if he is another person, to show that she respects David. Alternate translation: “you”
25:31 wg25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes This will not be a staggering burden for you—that you have poured out innocent blood, or because my master attempted to rescue himself 0 Abigail is stating that if David chooses not to take revenge he will have a clear conscience when Yahweh makes him king of Israel. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “You will always be glad you acted as you did-that you have not poured out innocent blood, or because my master did not attempt to rescue himself”
25:31 bql2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns my master … himself … my master … your servant 0 Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people, to show that she respects David. “you … yourself … you … me”
25:32 ze7a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive May Yahweh … be blessed, he who 0 This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) “I praise Yahweh … who” or (2) “May all people praise Yahweh … who.”
25:33 xel2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Your wisdom is blessed and you are blessed, because 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I thank Yahweh because he has blessed you by making you wise and because”
25:33 er78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy with my own hand 0 The word “hand” here is a metonym for the action taken by the hand. Alternate translation: “by my own actions”
25:34 wl4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive there would certainly have not been left to Nabal so much as one male baby 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I would not have left to Nabal even one male baby”
25:35 d94h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom received from her hand 0 This is an idiom. Abigail did not unload all gifts from the donkeys herself. Alternate translation: “accepted all the gifts that she had brought”
25:35 uy5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy have listened to your voice 0 The word “voice” is a metonym for the message the person speaks and a synecdoche for the person who speaks. Alternate translation: “have listened to what you have told me” or “will do as you have advised me” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
25:37 u2tf the wine had gone out of Nabal 0 Nabal was no longer drunk and so was no longer feeling happy.
25:37 g4h6 his heart died within him 0 Nabal was unable to move because was so afraid that he was no longer physically healthy, probably because he had suffered a stroke.
25:39 ir6z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive May Yahweh be blessed 0 This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 25:32](../25/32.md). This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “I praise Yahweh” or (2) Alternate translation: “May all people praise Yahweh”
25:39 j9hl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom has taken up the cause of my insult from the hand of Nabal 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “has defended me after Nabal insulted me”
25:39 n5td rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive has taken up the cause of my insult 0 The abstract nouns “cause” and “insult” can be translated as verbs. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “has shown that what I was doing was right by punishing Nabal for insulting me” or (2) Alternate translation: “has acted, when Nabal insulted me, as if Nabal had insulted him”
25:39 w9kj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns has kept back his servant from evil 0 David speaks as if he were another person to show his respect for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “has kept me back from doing evil deeds”
25:39 cq6p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns has turned Nabal’s evil action back on his own head 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **action**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “has done to Nabal what Nabal planned to do to me”
25:39 lb46 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche on his own head 0 The head is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “on him”
25:39 ci9p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her to himself as wife 0 You may make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “sent men to speak to Abigail and tell her that David wanted to take her to be his wife”
25:41 nmv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy She arose, bowed herself 0 Abigail responded by bowing. The reader should understand that she was probably already standing when the men were talking to her in [1 Samuel 25:40](../25/40.md), and so the word “arose” is a metonym for deciding to bow down.
25:41 iqu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my master 0 Abigail speaks as if she were another person to show that she is humble. She shows that she desires to be David’s new wife by offering to wash the feet of David’s servants. Alternate translation: “See, I will serve you, the servants of my master David, by washing your feet”
25:42 ays4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit hurried and arose, and rode 0 You may need to make explicit what Abigail did after she arose and before she rode. Alternate translation: “quickly did what she needed to do to prepare for the journey, and then she rode”
26:intro abcq 0 # 1 Samuel 26 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Vengeance\n\nDavid has another opportunity to kill Saul but he refuses to kill the one God had chosen as king. This contrasts with Saul, who tried to find David and kill him. Saul came to admit that David was more righteous than he was because he did not kill his enemy. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/elect]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical question\n\nDavid put his reason for not killing Saul in a rhetorical question: “Do not destroy him; for who can extend his hand against Yahweh’s anointed one and be guiltless?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
26:1 xrk7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not David hiding … Jeshimon? 0 This rhetorical question can be translated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “David is hiding … Jeshimon!”
26:1 x3kj rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jeshimon 0 This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 23:19](../23/19.md).
26:2 xlu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Then Saul arose and went 0 The word “arose” is an idiom for taking action. Alternate translation: “Then Saul took action and he went”
26:2 bq6i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three thousand 0 3,000
26:3 x3ka rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jeshimon 0 This is the name of a desert area near the Dead Sea. It can also be translated as “the Judean Wilderness” or “the wasteland.” See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 23:19](../23/19.md).
26:8 m51q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy God has put your enemy into your hand 0 Abishai speaks as if the enemy were a small object that God had put into David’s hand. The word “hand” is a metonym for the power the hand can wield. Alternate translation: “God has given you complete control over your enemy”
26:8 lze4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy pin him to the ground with the spear 0 This is a metonym that refers to “kill with a spear”
26:8 n3y8 I will not strike him a second time 0 Alternate translation: “I will kill him the first time I strike him” or “I will not need to strike him a second time”
26:9 ph1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion who can extend his hand against Yahweh’s anointed one and be guiltless? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “No one can strike Yahweh’s anointed one and be without guilt.” or “Anyone who strikes Yahweh’s anointed one will be guilty of murder.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
26:11 gt6b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy extend my hand against 0 The hand is a metonym for the harm a hand can do. Alternate translation: “do anything to harm”
26:11 q6ty rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive let us go 0 David includes Abishai, so the word “us” here is inclusive.
26:14 qg15 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do you not answer, Abner? 0 David uses a question to shame Abner into answering. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Answer me, Abner!”
26:15 e3xd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are not you a courageous man? 0 David uses a question to rebuke Abner for not guarding Saul. Alternate translation: “You are a very brave man.”
26:15 it27 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is like you in Israel? 0 David uses a question to rebuke Abner for not guarding Saul. Alternate translation: “You are the greatest soldier in Israel.”
26:15 b9q7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why then have you not kept watch over your master the king? 0 This could mean: (1) this is a real question and David wants Abner to answer him or (2) this is a rhetorical question and David is rebuking Abner. Alternate translation: “Therefore you should have kept watch over your master the king!”
26:17 d5y6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father.
26:18 n2yf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why does my master pursue his servant? 0 This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question or (2) If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “My master has no reason to pursue his servant.”
26:18 ah3m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person Why does my master pursue his servant? 0 Here David speaks of Saul in third person calling him “my master,” and he speaks of himself in third person calling himself “his servant.” David speaks this way to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “Why are you, my master, pursuing me, your servant?” or “Why are you pursuing me?”
26:18 ljv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What have I done? 0 This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question or (2) If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that I have done nothing to harm you.”
26:18 q2fg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy What evil is in my hand? 0 This speaks of evil as if it were an object that is held in the hand. Here “hand” represents a person acting or doing something. This could mean: (1) David really does want Saul to answer the question. Alternate translation: “What have I done wrong?” or (2) If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have done nothing wrong!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
26:19 xsj9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant 0 David speaks as if he and the king were other people to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “you my king, listen to my words”
26:19 sn5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit let him accept an offering 0 You may need to make explicit the reason he will give an offering. Alternate translation: “I will give him an offering so he will no longer cause you to be angry with me”
26:19 t9dx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive may they be cursed in the sight of Yahweh 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “may Yahweh decide to punish them”
26:19 fre1 for they have today driven me out, that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh; they have said to me, ‘Go worship other gods.’ 0 Alternate translation: “for they have today driven me out. It is as if they want me to stop clinging to the inheritance of Yahweh. It is as if they have said to me, ‘Go worship other gods.’”
26:19 h828 that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “so that I will no longer trust that Yahweh will give me what he has promised me”
26:20 r1qc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns the king of Israel has 0 David speaks as if the king was another person to show respect to Saul. Alternate translation: “you have”
26:20 dm6i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism do not let my blood fall to the earth 0 This is a polite way of saying “do not kill me.”
26:20 km1g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the one flea 0 David uses the word “flea” as a metaphor for a person, himself, who cannot do any great harm. Alternate translation: “this single flea” or “me, and I cannot harm you any more than one flea can”
26:20 ua6e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains 0 Saul is chasing David as if he were hunting a valuable wild bird. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
26:21 l7a6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father.
26:21 sy9u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my life was precious in your eyes today 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “today you have considered my life to be very valuable” or “today you showed me that you really do respect me”
26:23 sdp3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh put you into my hand today 0 The word “hand” is a metonym for the person’s power. “Yahweh gave me an opportunity to attack you today” or “Yahweh placed me where I could easily have killed you”
26:23 h11d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns his anointed 0 David speaks as if Saul were another person to show that he respects Saul because Saul is king. Alternate translation: “the one he has chosen to be king”
26:24 wtj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor your life was precious in my eyes today 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 26:21](../26/21.md). Alternate translation: “I have considered your life to be very valuable” or “I showed you today that I really do respect you”
26:24 tf9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor so may my life be much valued in the eyes of Yahweh 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “so may Yahweh consider my life very valuable as well” or “so may Yahweh value my life as much as I have valued your life”
26:25 r7dp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive May you be blessed 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh bless you”
26:25 ct8y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor my son 0 Saul was not David’s true father. Saul speaks as if he were David’s father to show David that he wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father.
27:intro abcr 0 # 1 Samuel 27 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis begins a section about David living with the Philistines.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David’s move\nDavid is afraid Saul will someday catch him and kill him, so he moves to the Philistine city of Gath. This is a type of exile David creates for himself out of fear. It is caused by his lack of trust in God. This is the same reason his descendants would come to be exiled. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]])
27:1 vu4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche David said in his heart 0 Here “his heart” is a metonym that means to himself. Alternate translation: “David thought to himself”
27:1 j9tl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche escape out of his hand 0 The word “hand” is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “escape from him”
27:2 yjn5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers six hundred men 0 600
27:2 y8hn rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Achish 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 21:10](../21/10.md).
27:2 ik5p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Maok 0 This is the name of a man.
27:3 q6ib rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ahinoam 0 This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 14:50](../14/50.md).
27:3 f557 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abigail 0 This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 25:3](../25/03.md).
27:3 qmd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nabal 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 25:3](../25/03.md).
27:4 zdd9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Saul was told 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone told Saul” or “Saul heard”
27:5 zt35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor If I have found favor in your eyes 0 Here the eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 20:3](../20/03.md). Alternate translation: “If I have pleased you” or “If you consider me favorably”
27:5 mj6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy let them give me a place 0 Since Achish was the one who would “give,” this is a metonym for “please give me a place.”
27:5 as8d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should your servant live in the royal city with you? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I do not need to live in the city with you.” or “I am not important enough to live here with you in the royal city.”
27:5 qss2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant 0 David speaks as if he were another person to show that he respected Achish.
27:6 d2xd rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ziklag 0 This is the name of a city in the southwest part of Judah.
27:8 k2mv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom making raids on 0 attacking and taking property many times
27:8 mj2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Girzites 0 A people group who apparently lived somewhere between Philistia and Egypt.
27:8 c2xz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns as you go to Shur 0 Here “you” is being used as an indefinite pronoun that refers to anyone. Alternate translation: “on the way most people travel to Shur”
27:8 y3iy rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shur 0 region on the northeast border of Egypt
27:9 vg2y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns Achish 0 the king of Gath
27:10 ylp3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Achish 0 the king of Gath
27:10 l4n3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jerahmeelites 0 a clan from the tribe of Judah
27:10 qt6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kenites 0 a people group who lived in the land of Midian
27:11 x7vm rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gath 0 one of five Philistine city-states.
27:12 g4e6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns Achish 0 the king of Gath
28:intro abcs 0 # 1 Samuel 28 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Talking to the dead\n\nTalking to the dead was against the law of Moses. God or the Holy Spirit left Saul because of his sin and would not help him. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/death]], [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Rhetorical question\n\nSamuel uses a rhetorical question to say it was useless to ask his advice since there was no way Saul could be successful with God against him: “What then do you ask me, since Yahweh has left you, and he has become your enemy?” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
28:2 au3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases So you will know … So I will 0 The word “so” shows that the speaker agrees with what the other person has just said. Alternate translation: “Yes, I will go with you so that you will know … Very well, I will”
28:2 a7g3 you will know what your servant can do 0 David probably wanted Achish to think that David would kill many Israelites, but “what your servant can do” could also mean that David was planning to kill Philistines instead. Try to translate so that the reader can see both of these possible meanings.
28:2 b6jy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns your servant 0 David speaks as if he is another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate translation: “I”
28:2 m1je rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns make you 0 The word “you” refers to David and so is singular.
28:3 v29c rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now Samuel … with spirits 0 The writer provides background information to prepare the reader for the events that follow.
28:3 k6lf banned from the land 0 officially removed from the country or region, or prevented from entering Alternate translation: “expel from Israel”
28:3 x928 those who talked with the dead or with spirits 0 The words “those who talked with the dead” translate as one word in the original language, and the words “those who … talked with spirits” also translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, or if your language has only one word for those who talk with the dead and with spirits, you should use those words here.
28:4 jp42 Then the Philistines gathered 0 after David and Achish spoke ([1 Samuel 28:2](../28/02.md))
28:4 gv6k gathered all Israel together 0 Alternate translation: “gathered all his armies in Israel together”
28:4 nut5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shunem … Gilboa 0 these are names of places
28:5 bi99 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he was afraid, and his heart trembled very much 0 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his fear. Here Saul is referred to by his “heart.” Alternate translation: “he was terrified” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
28:6 l97l Urim 0 The high priest carried the sacred lots called Urim and Thummin in his breastplate, in a marked pouch, next to his heart.
28:7 p66e who talks with the dead 0 These words translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for a person who talks to the dead, you should use it here. See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 28:3](../28/03.md).
28:8 q4zi Saul disguised himself … and went … to the woman by night 0 Saul disguised himself because the way from Gilboa ([1 Samuel 28:4](../28/04.md)) to Endor ([1 Samuel 28:7](./07.md)) was through land that the Philistines were living in. He traveled all day and reached the woman after the sun had gone down.
28:9 qv53 those who talk with the dead or with spirits 0 The words “those who talk with the dead” translate as one word in the original language, and the words “those who … talk with spirits” also translate as one word in the original language. If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, or if your language has only one word for those who talk with the dead and with spirits, you should use those words here. See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 28:3](../28/03.md).
28:17 wpr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor torn the kingdom out of your hand 0 Samuel speaks as if the kingdom were a physical object that could be held in the hand and grabbed out by another person. Alternate translation: “made you so you are no longer king” or “made another person king in your place”
28:19 wl9u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh will give Israel along with you into the hand of the Philistines 0 Samuel speaks as if the people of Israel were a small object that Yahweh would give to the Philistines, whom he speaks of as if they were one person. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to you and the people of Israel”
28:19 i48b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism will be with me 0 This is a polite way to say that Saul will die. Alternate translation: “will be dead”
28:19 y24l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines 0 Samuel speaks as if the army of Israel were a small object that Yahweh would give to the Philistines, whom he speaks of as if they were one person. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to the army of Israel”
28:20 gyg8 he had eaten no food all that day, neither that whole night 0 Saul had not eaten during the night before he traveled from Gilboa ([1 Samuel 28:4](../28/04.md)) to Endor ([1 Samuel 28:7](./07.md)), nor during the day as he journeyed, nor during the night on which he visited the woman.
28:21 t8lw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I have put my life in my hand and have listened 0 This is an idiom. “I could die because I listened” or “Someone could kill me because I listened”
28:22 cf3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns the voice of your woman servant 0 The woman speaks as if she is another person to show that she respects Saul. She refers to herself by her “voice” to emphasize what she says. Alternate translation: “my voice” or “me speak to you” (See also: or [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
29:intro abct 0 # 1 Samuel 29 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nSome translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetic song in 29:5.\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties\n\nIt is unclear whether David wanted to go into battle with the Philistines. He would have been fighting against Saul, but he also would have been fighting against Israel’s soldiers. It is probably best to see that David is conflicted over this issue, but some scholars believe that David planned on turning against the Philistines in the battle.
29:1 w2gw spring 0 a small stream of water flowing naturally from the Earth
29:2 tq6l passed on by hundreds and by thousands 0 Alternate translation: “divided their men into groups; some groups had one hundred soldiers and some groups had one thousand soldiers”
29:2 vft1 David and his men passed on in the rear guard with Achish 0 The groups of hundreds and thousands passed on first, then Achish and his helpers, and then David, his men, and the other Philistine soldiers, who were guarding Achish.
29:3 s77q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What are these Hebrews doing here? 0 Possible ways to translate this rhetorical question as a statement are Alternate translation: (1) “You should not have allowed these Hebrews, our enemies, to be here with us.” or (2) “Tell us who these Hebrews are.”
29:3 sj73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not this David … these years, and I have found … this day? 0 Another possible translation is “Is not this David, … these years? I have found … this day.” The rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should know that this is David … these years. I have found … this day.”
29:3 ri13 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes I have found no fault with him 0 This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I know of nothing that he has done wrong” or “I am very pleased with him”
29:4 i611 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche He will not go down with us into battle 0 The person here is a synecdoche for the army he commands. Alternate translation: “Do not let his army join with our army against our enemies”
29:4 vr1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion For how else could he make himself acceptable to his master than by taking the heads of our own men? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Here “taking the heads” is a metonym for killing. Alternate translation: “The best way for David to make peace with his master would be by killing our soldiers!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
29:5 ce4n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is this not David of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, ‘Saul … ten thousands’? 0 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not trust David—he is the one of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, ‘Saul … ten thousands’!”
29:6 tzt2 your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good 0 Alternate translation: “I am happy to have you go out and come in with me and my army” or “It is good that you go everywhere with me and my army”
29:8 p5pg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns my master the king 0 David speaks as if Achish were another person so that Achish will think David respects him. Alternate translation: “you, my master and king”
29:9 tse5 nevertheless, the princes 0 Alternate translation: “even though that is true, this is more important: the princes” or “however, the princes”
29:10 xd7w your master 0 The reader should understand that Achish is speaking of Saul.
29:10 r3uy have light 0 Alternate translation: “can see with the morning sun”
30:intro abcu 0 # 1 Samuel 30 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### David fights the Amalekites\n\nWhen David and his men arrive home, they find the Amalekites have raided Ziklag and taken everything. They catch and destroy them and bring back all of their goods and families. Then David sends gifts to all the cities in Judah through which they had traveled.
30:1 u6dp Ziklag 0 Ziklag is a city in the southern part of Judah. This was where David and his men kept their families.
30:2 i8bg they 0 the Amalekites
30:2 l5au both small and great 0 This could mean: (1) “both unimportant people and important people” or (2) “both physically small and physically large.”
30:3 hh3k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive it was burned, and their wives … daughters were taken captive 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they saw that someone had burned it and taken their wives … captive”
30:6 q4yw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche all the people were bitter in spirit 0 The word “bitter” is a metaphor for the desire to rebel. The word “spirit” is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “all the people were ready to rebel against David” or “all the people were very unhappy”
30:6 plf4 David strengthened himself in Yahweh, his God 0 This could mean: (1) “David took courage because he knew Yahweh his God would help him” or (2) “Yahweh his God made David strong.”
30:8 l4pe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns David prayed to Yahweh for direction 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **direction**, you can express the same idea with a clause. Alternate translation: “David prayed that Yahweh would tell David what David should do”
30:15 ln2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy you will not … betray me up into the hands of my master 0 Here “hands” refers to control. Alternate translation: “you will not … violate the trust I have in you by allowing my master to control me again”
30:18 gv1e recovered … rescued 0 “got back … got back.” These two words translate the same Hebrew word. Your language may also have a word for a person getting his own property back from the person who stole it that is different from the word for a person getting his wife back from those who have captured her.
30:18 zen4 rescued his two wives 0 Alternate translation: “got his two wives back” or “saved his two wives from danger”
30:19 f95n Nothing was missing 0 Alternate translation: “None of the items the Amalekites had stolen were lost”
30:19 h16q neither small nor great 0 This could mean: (1) “neither unimportant people nor important people” or (2) “neither physically small nor physically large.” See how you translated similar words in [1 Samuel 30:2](../30/02.md).
30:19 we47 booty 0 goods that the Amelekites had stolen. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 30:16](../30/16.md).
30:21 r2q2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred 0 200
30:21 e3fw rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the brook Besor 0 a small stream or creek named Besor. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 30:9](../30/09.md).
30:24 n8h7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who will listen to you in this matter? 0 This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement: Alternate translation: “No one will listen to you in this matter.”
30:24 sv97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns as the share is for anyone who goes 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **share**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “as what belongs to anyone who goes”
30:28 qm9t Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nThe writer continues the list that began in [1 Samuel 30:27](../30/27.md) of towns whose elders received gifts from David.
30:29 xiz3 Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nThe writer continues the list that began in [1 Samuel 30:27](../30/27.md) of towns whose elders received gifts from David.
30:30 re7a Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nThe writer continues the list that began in [1 Samuel 30:27](../30/27.md) of towns whose elders received gifts from David.
30:31 k11c Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nThe writer finishes the list that began in [1 Samuel 30:27](../30/27.md) of towns whose elders received gifts from David.
31:intro abcv 0 # 1 Samuel 31 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis is the end of the section on Saul, but the book continues in 2 Samuel 1.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Saul’s punishment\nSaul receives his punishment from God: death for his disobedience and resisting the will of God. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/willofgod]])
31:1 k1fi Now the Philistines fought against Israel 0 This battle was the result of the conflict between David and the Philistines in [1 Samuel 29:11](../29/11.md). The writer has finished telling the story of David that began in [1 Samuel 30:1](../30/01.md), and now he tells about the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines.
31:1 mg5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy against Israel 0 “Israel” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “against the people of Israel”
31:1 u5ii rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Gilboa 0 This is the name of a mountain
31:4 pe6q armor bearer 0 The armor bearer carried the large shield of his commanding officer and other weapons. He protected the commanding officer during a battle.
31:4 nl61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj these uncircumcised 0 The nominal adjective “uncircumcised” can be translated as an adjective. Not being circumcised is a metonym for being foreigners. Alternate translation: “these men who have not been circumcised” or “these non-Israelite men” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
31:4 w39y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis would not 0 The ellipsis can be filled in. Alternate translation: “would not do what Saul had told him to do”
31:8 d9b8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Gilboa 0 a mountain range overlooking the Valley of Jezreel in northern Israel, south of Nazareth
31:9 w7af the land of the Philistines throughout 0 Alternate translation: “all areas of the land of the Philistines”
31:9 xcw5 to carry the news to their idols’ temples and to the people 0 Alternate translation: “to speak the news inside the temples and to the people”
31:9 j17p their idols’ temples 0 the buildings where they worshiped their idols
31:10 e3nj Ashtoreths 0 ancient false goddesses and idols, also called “Asherah” or “Astarte”
31:10 z423 fastened 0 attached, probably with a large spike or nail
31:13 enk8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown a tamarisk tree 0 This is a type of tree. See how you translated this in [1 Samuel 22:6](../22/06.md). Alternate translation: “a large shade tree”
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