[1] 1:3 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[2] 1:5 equal share Or, "double share."

[3] 1:7 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[4] 1:9 went to the Lord This is from the ancient Greek version. It is not in the traditional Hebrew text.

[5] 1:9 Holy Building This could mean the Holy Tent at Shiloh where people went to worship the Lord or a larger area where they put the Holy Tent.

[6] 1:11 Nazirite A person who has made a special vow of dedication to God. This name is from the Hebrew word meaning "to separate" or "to consecrate" and refers to the promise Nazirites made to set themselves apart for God and to separate themselves from others by not drinking wine or any other intoxicating drink or eating anything made from grapes, by not touching a dead body, and by not cutting their hair.

[7] 1:11 He will . strong drink This is in the ancient Greek version and one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran but not in the standard Hebrew text.

[8] 1:20 Samuel This name means "His name is El (God)." But in Hebrew it is like the word "ask" or the name "Saul." There are many places in 1 Samuel where there are wordplays with the names Saul and Samuel and the word "ask."

[9] 1:22 Nazirite A person who has made a special vow of dedication to God. This name is from the Hebrew word meaning "to separate" or "to consecrate" and refers to the promise Nazirites made to set themselves apart for God and to separate themselves from others by not drinking wine or any other intoxicating drink or eating anything made from grapes, by not touching a dead body, and by not cutting their hair.

[10] 1:22 He will become a Nazirite This is not in the standard Hebrew text, but it is in the ancient Greek version and in one of the Hebrew scrolls from Qumran.

[11] 1:24 20 pounds Literally, "an ephah" (22 l).

[12] 1:25 They went . he usually did This is from the ancient Greek version and one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran. It is not in the standard Hebrew text.

[13] 1:28 serve Or, "belong to."

[14] 1:28 left the boy there This is from one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran. It is not in the standard Hebrew text.

[15] 2:1 I feel very strong Literally, "In the Lord my horn is lifted high." The horn is a symbol of strength.

[16] 2:1 I laugh at my enemies Literally, "My mouth is wide open over my enemies."

[17] 2:2 Rock A name for God that means he is a place where people can find safety, like a high mountain or the strong wall of a fortress.

[18] 2:6 grave Or "Sheol," the home of the dead. This word is often used as a metaphor for death.

[19] 2:8 takes away their sadness Literally, "He picks up the poor from the ashes."

[20] 2:8 The Lord made . belongs to him Literally, "The whole world, even to its foundations, belongs to the Lord. He set the world on those pillars."

[21] 2:10 chosen king Literally, "anointed one."

[22] 2:16 Burn the fat The fat was the part of the animal that belonged only to God. The priests were supposed to burn the fat on the altar as a gift to God.

[23] 2:18 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[24] 2:22 Meeting Tent See "Holy Tent."

[25] 2:27 man of God Another title for a prophet. See "prophet."

[26] 2:27 ancestors Literally, "father's house." See "ancestor" in the Word List.

[27] 2:28 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.

[28] 2:28 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[29] 2:32 but you . at home This phrase is not in the ancient Greek version or the Hebrew scrolls from Qumran.

[30] 2:35 chosen king Literally, "anointed one."

[31] 3:1 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.

[32] 3:3 temple This could mean the Holy Tent at Shiloh where people went to worship the Lord or a larger area where they put the Holy Tent.

[33] 3:3 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[34] 3:7 the Lord . him before Literally, "the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him."

[35] 3:14 Or, "That is why I swore that Eli's family would not be forgiven for their sins against the grain offerings and sacrifices."

[36] 3:21 word of the Lord Sometimes this means simply "a message from God." But sometimes it seems that this was a special way God used when he spoke with his prophets.

[37] 4:1 Eli was very old . before the Lord This phrase is in the ancient Greek version but not in the Hebrew.

[38] 4:3 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.

[39] 4:3 Box of the Agreement Or, traditionally, "Ark of the Covenant." The special box kept in the Most Holy Place of the Israelite Holy Tent and, later, the Jerusalem Temple. It contained the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them, which were evidence or "proof " of the agreement between God and his people. In some passages it is literally, "Box of the Testimony." See Ex. 25:10-22; 1 Kings 8:1-9.

[40] 4:6 Hebrew Or, "Israelite."

[41] 4:6 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[42] 4:18 20 years This is from the ancient Greek version and Josephus. The standard Hebrew text has "40 years."

[43] 4:19 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[44] 4:21 Ichabod This name means "No glory." The Greek has "Ouai Barchaboth."

[45] 4:21 Eli's daughter-in-law . taken away This is not in the Greek version.

[46] 5:1 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[47] 5:2 Dagon A false god worshiped by the Canaanites in the hope that he would give them a good harvest of grain. When the Philistines settled in Canaan, they adopted Dagon as their most important god.

[48] 5:6 This verse is from the ancient Greek version.

[49] 6:1 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[50] 6:3 You must do . punishing you This is from the ancient Greek version and one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran. The standard Hebrew has "Then you will know why God did not stop punishing you."

[51] 6:7 Don't let . mothers The Philistines thought if the cows did not try to find their calves it would prove that God was leading them and that he had accepted their gifts.

[52] 6:14-15 Levite Any of the men from the tribe of Levi, who helped the Israelite priests in the Holy Tent (Tabernacle) and Temple. In later periods some Levites worked for the civil government.

[53] 6:19 no priests Only priests were allowed to carry the Box of the Agreement.

[54] 7:3 Ashtoreth Or "Astarte," an important Canaanite goddess, the wife of the Canaanite god Baal and possibly El. Called the "Queen of Heaven," she was the goddess of love and war.

[55] 7:4 Baal A false god worshiped by the Canaanites. They believed he brought rain and storms and made the land produce good crops.

[56] 7:6 judge One of the civic leaders who judged, led, and protected the people of Israel before their first king was appointed.

[57] 7:12 Shen Or, "Jeshanah," a town about 17 miles north of Jerusalem.

[58] 7:12 Stone of Help Or, "Ebenezer."

[59] 8:1 judge One of the civic leaders who judged, led, and protected the people of Israel before their first king was appointed.

[60] 8:5 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.

[61] 8:11 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.

[62] 8:14 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.

[63] 8:16 cattle This is from the ancient Greek version. The Hebrew has "young men."

[64] 9:6 man of God Another title for a prophet. See "prophet."

[65] 9:8 a little bit of money Literally, "1/4 shekel of silver" (about 1/10 of an ounce).

[66] 9:9-11 seer A kind of prophet (see "prophet") who received messages from God in visions.

[67] 9:12 place for worship Or, "high places," places for worshiping God or false gods. These places were often on the hills and mountains. Also in verses 14, 19, 25.

[68] 9:16 anoint To pour a special oil on people or things to show that they have been chosen by God and set apart for a special work or purpose.

[69] 9:24 thigh This was probably the left thigh that was reserved for important guests. The right thigh was reserved for the priest who sacrificed the animal. This priest helped kill the animal and put the fat from the animal on the altar as a gift to God.

[70] 9:25 Samuel made . the roof This is from the ancient Greek version. The Hebrew has "Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof." In ancient Israel, houses had flat roofs that were used like an extra room.

[71] 10:1 anoint To pour a special oil on people or things to show that they have been chosen by God and set apart for a special work or purpose.

[72] 10:1 You will control . true These lines are from the ancient Greek version. They are not in the Hebrew text.

[73] 10:5 place for worship Or, "high places," places for worshiping God or false gods. These places were often on the hills and mountains.

[74] 10:5 prophesying Usually, this means "speaking for God." But here, this also means that the Spirit of God took control of people, causing them to sing and dance. Also in verses 11, 13.

[75] 10:12 Yes . leader Literally, "And who is their father?" Often the man who taught and led other prophets was called "father."

[76] 10:27 Nahash . came to Jabesh Gilead This paragraph is not in the standard Hebrew text but is found in some ancient versions and in one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran.

[77] 12:3 chosen king Literally, "anointed one." Also in verse 5.

[78] 12:6 ancestors Literally, "fathers," meaning a person's parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.

[79] 12:10 Baal A false god worshiped by the Canaanites. They believed he brought rain and storms and made the land produce good crops.

[80] 12:10 Ashtoreth Or "Astarte," an important Canaanite goddess, the wife of the Canaanite god Baal and possibly El. Called the "Queen of Heaven," she was the goddess of love and war.

[81] 12:14 If you do, God will save you This is from the ancient Greek version.

[82] 12:17 time of . harvest This was the dry time of year when no rains fell.

[83] 13:1 The Hebrew text is unclear. Part of the numbers may be missing. The whole verse is missing from the oldest Greek version, but a few early Greek copies have, "Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he ruled over Israel 42 years."

[84] 13:5 3000 The Hebrew has "30,000."

[85] 13:5 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.

[86] 13:19 blacksmith A person who makes weapons, tools or other things from iron.

[87] 13:20 sickle A tool with a curved blade for harvesting grain and other crops.

[88] 13:21 1/3 ounce Literally, "1 pim" (7.8g).

[89] 13:21 1/6 ounce Literally, "1/3 [shekel]" (3.8g).

[90] 13:21 goad A sharp stick that a person used to make animals go the right way.

[91] 14:2 pomegranate A red fruit filled with tiny seeds, each covered with a sweet, juicy part of the fruit.

[92] 14:2 edge of the hill Or, "the edge of Gibeah."

[93] 14:2 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.

[94] 14:3 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[95] 14:6 foreigners Literally, "uncircumcised." This showed that these people did not share in the Agreement God made with Israel.

[96] 14:18 Holy Box See "Box of the Agreement."

[97] 14:18 Or, "Saul said to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod!' (At that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod.)"

[98] 14:23 The whole army . Ephraim These words are in the ancient Greek version but not in the Hebrew.

[99] 14:24 But Saul . that day These words are in the ancient Greek version but not in the Hebrew.

[100] 14:41 Urim The Urim and Thummim were probably small stone, metal, or wooden pieces that the high priest kept in the judgment pouch he wore. They were used, perhaps like dice, to get answers from God. See Ex. 28:30.

[101] 14:41 Thummim See "Urim."

[102] 15:1 anoint To pour a special oil on people or things to show that they have been chosen by God and set apart for a special work or purpose.

[103] 15:12 Saul had just offered . Lord This is from the ancient Greek version. It is not in the standard Hebrew text.

[104] 15:15 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[105] 15:23 sorcery When a person tries to use the power of demons and evil spirits to do magic.

[106] 15:32 Surely . kill me Or, "This treatment is worse than death."

[107] 16:1 horn An animal's horn is hollow and often used like a bottle.

[108] 16:2 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[109] 16:3 anoint To pour a special oil on people or things to show that they have been chosen by God and set apart for a special work or purpose.

[110] 16:4 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.

[111] 16:12 healthy The Hebrew word means "red," "ruddy," or "red-haired."

[112] 17:4 over 9 feet Literally, "6 cubits and 1 span" (2.9 m). Josephus, the ancient Greek version, and one of the ancient Hebrew scrolls from Qumran all have "4 cubits and 1 span." This is 6' 6" (2 m) for the short cubit or 7' 7" (2.33 m) for the long cubit.

[113] 17:5 armor The special clothes soldiers wore to protect themselves in war.

[114] 17:5 125 pounds Literally, "5000 shekels" (57.5 kg).

[115] 17:7 15 pounds Literally, "600 shekels" (6.9 kg).

[116] 17:17 basket Literally, "ephah."

[117] 17:26 foreigner Literally, "uncircumcised." This shows that Goliath was a foreigner and did not share in the Agreement God made with the Israelites. Also in verse 36.

[118] 17:33 You're not even a soldier Or, "You are only a boy!" The Hebrew word for "boy" often means "servant" or "the helper who carries a soldier's weapons."

[119] 17:38 armor The special clothes soldiers wore to protect themselves in war.

[120] 17:40 sling A strip of leather used for throwing rocks.

[121] 17:42 healthy The Hebrew word means "red," "ruddy," or "red-haired."

[122] 17:42 boy Or, "teenager" or "soldier's helper."

[123] 17:49 sling A strip of leather used for throwing rocks.

[124] 17:51 sheath A leather or metal case for carrying a sword or knife.

[125] 18:1-2 Jonathan . with David Literally, "Jonathan's soul was tied to David's soul."

[126] 18:6 lyre A musical instrument with strings, like a harp.

[127] 18:8 A little more . itself This sentence is not in some of the ancient Greek versions.

[128] 18:10 Saul . wild Or, "Saul prophesied." The Hebrew word means that the person lost control of what they said and did. Usually this meant God was using them to give a special message to other people.

[129] 18:17 real soldier That is, a member of the warrior class. They were free from certain duties of ordinary citizens.

[130] 18:25 money for his daughter In Bible times a man usually had to give money to a woman's father before he could marry her.

[131] 18:27 200 The ancient Greek version has "100."

[132] 19:20 prophesying Usually, this means "speaking for God." But here, this also means that the Spirit of God took control of the people, causing them to sing and dance. Also in verse 23.

[133] 19:22 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.

[134] 20:5 New Moon The first day of the month for Israelites or Jews, which they celebrated as a special day of rest and worship. The people met together and shared in the fellowship offerings like those described in Lev. 7:16-21.

[135] 20:14-15 enemies Or, "descendants."

[136] 20:16 The Hebrew text of these verses is unclear, and several different translations are possible.

[137] 20:24 New Moon The first day of the month for Israelites or Jews, which they celebrated as a special day of rest and worship. The people met together and shared in the fellowship offerings like those described in Lev. 7:16-21.

[138] 20:26 clean Pure or acceptable. When used of animals, it means fit to be eaten. When used of people, it means fit to participate in the worship of God at the Tabernacle or Temple. See Lev. 11-15 for the Old Testament rules about clean and unclean things.

[139] 20:29 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.

[140] 20:42 oath A strong declaration that one will tell the truth or keep a promise, often using the name of God or something else known to be real or important.

[141] 21:1 Nob A city near Ranah where many priests lived. See 1 Sam. 22:19.

[142] 21:4 Holy Bread This was the special bread that was put in the Holy Tent. It is also called "shewbread" or "the bread of the Presence." Normally, only the priests should eat this bread. See Lev. 24:5-9.

[143] 21:4 Your officers . women This would make the men unclean and not able to eat any food that had been made holy by offering it to God. See Lev. 7:21; 15:1-33.

[144] 21:5 bodies Literally, "vessels" or "weapons."

[145] 21:5 My men . missions See 2 Sam. 11:11 and the rules in Deut. 23:9-14.

[146] 21:7 shepherds Or, "messengers."

[147] 21:7 kept there before the Lord This might mean that Doeg was there as part of a special promise to God or some other religious reason. Or, it might mean he was being held there because of some crime, such as accidentally killing a man.

[148] 21:9 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[149] 22:1 cave Or possibly, "fortress."

[150] 22:7 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.

[151] 22:18 priests Literally, "men who wore the linen ephod."

[152] 23:1 threshing floor The place where grain is separated from the hulls. See "threshing."

[153] 23:6 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[154] 23:6 When Abiathar . him This means that Abiathar could go before God for David and ask for advice.

[155] 23:14 fortress A building or city with tall, strong walls for protection.

[156] 23:19 fortress A building or city with tall, strong walls for protection.

[157] 23:28 Slippery Rock Or, "Sela Hammahlekoth."

[158] 24:6 chosen king Literally, "anointed one." Also in verse 10.

[159] 25:3 Nabal This name means "foolish."

[160] 25:8 friend Literally, "son."

[161] 25:18 about a bushel Literally, "5 seahs" (36.5 l).

[162] 25:18 2 quarts Literally, "1 omer" (2.2 l).

[163] 25:22 I swear Literally, "May God do so and so for David's enemies if .."

[164] 25:29 sling A strip of leather used for throwing rocks.

[165] 25:41 slave woman Or "concubine," a woman who was owned by a man and treated like a wife.

[166] 26:9 chosen king Literally, "anointed one." Also in verses 16, 23.

[167] 26:20 hunting partridges in the mountains People hunted these birds until the birds became too tired to go on. Then they killed the birds. Saul was chasing David the same way. This is also a wordplay. The Hebrew word for "partridge" is like the word for "calling" in verse 14.

[168] 27:10 Judah, Jerahmeel, Kenizzites All these places belonged to Israel. David made Achish think he had fought against his own people, the Israelites.

[169] 28:3 medium A person who tries to talk with the spirits of people who have died.

[170] 28:3 fortune-teller A person who tries to use magic to learn what will happen in the future.

[171] 28:6 Urim The Urim and Thummim were probably small stone, metal, or wooden pieces that the high priest kept in the judgment pouch he wore. They were used, perhaps like dice, to get answers from God. See Ex. 28:30.

[172] 28:7 Endor A town around the mountain from Shunem, where the Philistines were camped. Saul had to go around them to get to Endor.

[173] 28:13 ground Or, "Sheol, the place of death."

[174] 29:6 The Philistine rulers . man The Philistine rulers are pleased with David. It is the Philistine commanders of the army who are against him.

[175] 30:7 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.

[176] 30:14 Kerethites Or, "people from Crete." These were one of the groups of Philistines. Some of David's best soldiers were Kerethites.

[177] 31:3 archer A person skilled in using a bow to shoot arrows.

[178] 31:4 armor The special clothes soldiers wore to protect themselves in war.

[179] 31:9 armor The special clothes soldiers wore to protect themselves in war.

[180] 31:9 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.

[181] 31:10 Ashtoreth Or "Astarte," an important Canaanite goddess, the wife of the Canaanite god Baal and possibly El. Called the "Queen of Heaven," she was the goddess of love and war.

[182] 31:10 Beth Shan Or possibly, "Beth Shean." Also in verse 12.

© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.