The two verbs answered and said frequently occur together in Hebrew, but the two will be considered redundant in many languages and may be reduced to a single verb, as even Revised Standard Version does in 1.15 and 17.

There has also been a great slaughter among the people is a rather awkward and unnatural way of saying that “many of the troops of Israel died in battle” or “the army has suffered severe losses” (Revised English Bible).

The people, that is, “the troops.” See the comments on verses 3 and 4.

Hophni and Phinehas are dead: the word dead is an accurate translation of the Hebrew verb, but since verse 11 says that these two sons were killed in battle, it may be best to say that they “were killed” (so Good News Translation) or “have been killed.” In other languages it may be necessary to say “died in battle.”

The ark … has been captured: the passive construction may be made active by saying “the Philistines have captured the ark” or something similar. See the comments on verse 11.

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 .