Afterward: this Revised Standard Version rendering risks giving the impression that considerable time elapsed between Saul’s departure and David’s going out after him. But the idea is rather of one action following almost immediately on the other. Revised English Bible translates “whereupon.” And Contemporary English Version has “Soon.” The context shows that enough time had passed for Saul to be some distance away when David shouted to him, but he was still in the immediate vicinity.

Called after Saul: literally “called after Saul, saying.” The idea is that of crying out over some distance to another person. New Century Version uses the verb “shouted.”

Bowing with one’s face to the earth was a sign of great respect (see the comment on 20.41). Did obeisance translates a verb meaning “to bow down deeply,” as in prostrating oneself before someone in an attitude of humility or worship. Bowing and doing obeisance are not intended to indicate two separate actions. Rather, the purpose of David’s bowing to the ground was to show his great respect for Saul. Instead of the coordinating conjunction and, it will be better in many languages to say something like Good News Translation, “bowed down to the ground in respect.”

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 .