As previously, the people refers to the “soldiers” or “the force” (New Jerusalem Bible) that was with Saul. In view of the command given to these people, it is not unreasonable to call them “his officers” (Contemporary English Version).

Number: in Hebrew this verb is followed by a particle of entreaty, similar to “Please” in English, which most versions do not translate here, possibly because a royal command requires no entreaty form in most languages. The imperative verb has no object, but the context makes it clear that it is the troops that are to be counted in order to determine who was missing. While the command is in the form of a direct quotation, it is equally legitimate to translate as indirect speech: “Saul told his officers to count the soldiers to find out who had left the ranks.”

Behold: attention is here focused on the fact that it was Jonathan and his helper who were missing.

Armor-bearer: as in verse 7.

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 .