Behold: most modern versions leave this particle untranslated in this context. But it seems to be used to focus attention on the proposal that follows. Contemporary English Version begins this verse with “This is what we will do.” See the comments on page 18 and following.

Cross over: that is, cross over the valley. See the comments on verse 1.

The men: that is, the Philistine soldiers. Revised Standard Version translates the Hebrew literally. New Revised Standard Version says “those men.”

Show ourselves: that is, “allow the Philistines to know where we are,” or simply “let them see us” (New International Version as well as Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .