Saul’s question is rhetorical and may be translated as a statement, as in Revised English Bible: “Not often does a man find his enemy and let him go unharmed.” This, of course, is true of both women and men, so it will be better to say “a person” instead of “a man.”

The rhetorical question is really intended to make a strong affirmation. So some may translate the first part of this verse “People don’t let their enemies go free when they have the opportunity to harm them.” Contemporary English Version provides another possible model, “If you were really my enemy, you wouldn’t have let me leave here alive.”

The common Hebrew conjunction is legitimately translated so in Revised Standard Version, since it has the effect of a logical connector. But many modern versions leave this relationship implicit.

Reward: in this context the verb carries the meaning of doing good to someone in return for good that person has already done. Saul acknowledges that David had been good to him by refusing to kill him when he had the opportunity to do so. He now asks God to do good to David in return for this kind action.

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 .