1 Samuel — Footnotes
Chapter 1
1:3 — Yahweh of hosts, a title for God as in 1 Sam 17:45. Also compare other uses of the 'host(s)' designation in Deut 20:9 and 1 Sam 12:9.
1:22 — may appear before Yahweh is the earliest attested text, but was originally, 'may see the face of Yahweh'. See Exo 23:15.
Chapter 2
2:20 — you is represented by second-person masculine singular in Hebrew.
2:20 — he is represented by third-person masculine singular in Hebrew.
Chapter 4
4:13 — watching has the same Hebrew consonants (mzph) as 'Mizpah'. If the name 'Mizpah' was the original, it would be translated, "his seat by the road to Mizpah." No known text has this reading; however, the HOTTP indicates the original text probably did read this way.
Chapter 6
6:19 — Some texts omit [and] fifty thousand men. It is also a highly unusual construction in the Hebrew and is not likely to mean 50,070 even if this reading is genuine (see CTAT, K&D, and UBS Handbook). It is possible only 70 were killed (see Josephus). This would leave the meaning of 50,000 not presently known.
Chapter 9
9:20 — now these three days, literally: 'this day three days'. In Hebrew this means that they were lost the day before yesterday: Today is the third day they were lost. Yesterday was the second day they were lost. The day before yesterday was the actual day they were lost. See also 1 Samuel 20:12, 20:19, and 30:13.
Chapter 13
13:1 — Literally: 'Saul was a son of a year in his reigning and two years he reigned over Israel.' This follows the Hebrew text. There are variations in the ancient texts at this verse. In this Bible the literal phrase 'a son of a year' is usually translated as 'a year old' (for example see Exodus 12:5). The phrase 'in his reigning' is normally translated as 'he began to reign' (for example see 2 Samuel 5:4). A possible interpretation of this verse is that Saul was now considered a year old as a new man (see 1 Samuel 10:6) or in his new heart (see 1 Samuel 10:9).
Chapter 15
15:9 — and the seconds refer to those animals which were kept and fattened after the first-born had been given to God. (HOTTP)
15:23 — See footnote at Genesis 31:19.
Chapter 19
19:13 — talismans - see footnote at Genesis 31:19.
19:13 — his head refers to where David's head would be on the bed. It does not necessarily indicate that there is any feature of a head on the talismans. Also in verse 16.
19:16 — see footnote at verse 13.
Chapter 20
20:12 — This is in the form of an oath taken in the name of Yahweh, God of Israel.
20:12 — on the third day. Literally: the third tomorrow, or tomorrow the third. In Hebrew this means the day after tomorrow: Today is day one. Tomorrow is day two. The day after tomorrow is day three. See also 1 Samuel 9:20, 20:19, and 30:13.
20:16 — Literally: 'the enemies of David' which is a euphemism for the sons of David. (see HOTTP, CTAT) See also 2 Sam 12:14.
20:19 — on the third day. Literally: 'the third'. In Hebrew this means the day after tomorrow: Today is day one. Tomorrow is day two. The day after tomorrow is day three. See also 1 Samuel 9:20, 20:12, and 30:13.
Chapter 21
21:5 — vessels in both places in this verse may be a euphemism for the male reproductive organ (see CTAT).
Chapter 24
24:3 — relieve himself: literally, 'cover his feet'. See Judges 3:24.
Chapter 25
25:6 — To life is an idiom which means to give good wishes and hope for peace and prosperity.
25:22 — Literally, 'the enemies of David' which is a euphemism for David.
Chapter 28
28:7 — mistress refers to a woman having authority or control over something or someone.
28:7 — see footnote at verse 7.
Chapter 29
29:10 — The following words of this verse are included based on the HOTTP recommendation to follow the LXX: and go to the town that I gave you+. And don't take the complaint to heart, because you are good in my sight. There is a significant level of uncertainty for this decision. It is rated D (the lowest) on a scale of A-D. However, the UBS handbook also recommend including this longer text.
Chapter 30
30:13 — this is now the third day. Literally: 'this day three'. In Hebrew this means the event happened the day before yesterday: Today is the third day. Yesterday was the second day. The day before yesterday was the first day. The first day was the day that his master left him behind. See also 1 Samuel 9:20, 20:12, and 20:19.