The ark of God: see the comments at verse 3 as well as at 3.3.

Was captured: in some languages it will be necessary to express the agent and use a verb in the active voice, that is, “the Philistines captured the ark of God” (see also verses 17, 19, 22 below).

Eli’s two sons are killed, as prophesied in 2.34. Receptor language considerations will determine whether it is more natural to give the names first or to follow the order of Revised Standard Version and say the two sons of Eli before repeating the names that have already been mentioned several times earlier in the story (verse 4 and in 1.3 and 2.34).

Were slain: literally “died.” This passive form in English may be made active by stating that the Philistines killed Hophni and Phinehas, or possibly by simply translating the Hebrew, “died,” literally.

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 .