The lamp of God: the lamp referred to here is the sacred lamp that was set up in the tabernacle outside the curtain in front of the Covenant Box. It was to be lit each evening and allowed to burn until morning (according to Exo 27.20; Lev 24.2). Though Good News Translation does not keep the Hebrew expression the lamp of God, the use of the definite article, “the lamp,” suggests that a specific lamp is being referred to. In some languages a footnote may be required to inform the reader of the significance of this lamp.
Had not yet gone out: while the Hebrew uses a negative expression, the idea may be better expressed positively in some languages. New Century Version, like Good News Translation, says that “the lamp was still burning.”
The temple of the LORD: see the comments on 1.9.
The ark of God: this object is referred to in various ways in 1 and 2 Samuel, including “the ark,” “the ark of the covenant of the LORD,” “the ark of the covenant of God,” “the ark of the LORD,” and “the ark of the God of Israel.” The traditional English rendering ark is a transliteration of the Latin, which means “chest” or “box.” This is based on a Hebrew word that simply means “box”; yet this is no ordinary box. Although without its gold decorations it was a simple wooden chest, it was very special to the Jewish people because it was related to their covenant relationship to God.
Translators should respect the different names for the ark as much as possible, but in cases where there is a danger that readers or hearers will understand that different objects are intended, it may be necessary to use the same name even though the text has a different wording. Here, for example, New Century Version has “the Ark of the Agreement,” which is its usual rendering of “ark of the covenant,” as in 4.3.
The ark was a box made of acacia wood measuring about 125 centimeters (about 45 inches) by 75 centimeters (about 27 inches) and was approximately 75 centimeters (27 inches) high (Exo 25.10-22 and 37.1-9). The presence of Yahweh was thought to be closely tied to this box. Translators should be aware that it is only by historical accident that the word used of Noah’s ark and the ark of the covenant are the same in English. The two words in Hebrew are completely different. So no attempt should be made to render them identically in the receptor language.
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 .