In Hebrew this verse begins with the verb that is often translated “And it came to pass” but is literally “And it was, [that … ].” It serves as a discourse marker in the original, but it is difficult to reproduce naturally in many other languages.

On the morrow: for the Israelites the day began and ended at sundown. So the “next day” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) for them would be what is called “That night” (Good News Translation) in modern English. This may also be the case in a number of other languages. The fact that the attack occurred at daybreak is a further indication that Saul’s preparation of his army must have been done at night.

The people: in this context, as often in 1 Samuel, this may be translated “his troops” (New American Bible) or “the army” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Companies translates a noun that often means “head.” Here, as in 13.17-18, it refers to military units or formations.

They came into the midst of the camp: that is, they “invaded the camp” (New American Bible) of the Ammonites, during the morning watch (Exo 14.24 also refers to the morning watch). The night was divided into three periods, and the morning watch was the third and final period, lasting from about two o’clock in the morning until dawn. Attacking at this time would provide the maximum advantage for Saul’s army due to the element of surprise.

Cut down: the same verb is elsewhere rendered “slew” (4.2) or “smote” (4.8). Using more modern language in this context, it may be translated “killed” (Klein), “massacred” (Revised English Bible), or “slaughtered” (New International Version).

Until the heat of the day: that is, “until high noon” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Those who survived refers to the surviving Ammonites, not to the Israelites.

No two of them were left together is another way of saying that they were scattered, that is, that each of the survivors was alone. This emphasizes both the sparseness and the disarray of the remaining Ammonite soldiers. It may also be translated as “every person that escaped was alone.”

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 .