That the cows went straight … turned neither to the right nor to the left is a sign that God was leading them (see verse 9). Compare Num 20.17; Deut 2.27; 5.32; 17.11; Josh 1.7, where the same sort of expression is used.

Along one highway: the word highway has the potential for being misunderstood in some languages. The Hebrew term refers to a road made with layers of stone or gravel and not just dirt. But this is not to be thought of as a modern, paved superhighway. Rather the expression simply means that “they kept to the road” (Revised English Bible).

Lowing as they went: the cry is one of female cattle whose nursing calves had been taken from them. Knox, in fact, translates “lowing for their calves.” Languages have a variety of ways of expressing such sounds. Some English versions use the word “mooing” (New Century Version, New American Bible, and Good News Translation). But many languages will utilize a more general word for “crying.” The Hebrew term found here is used elsewhere only in Job 6.5.

The lords of the Philistines: see the comments on 5.8.

The idea of a border may have to be translated in some languages as in Contemporary English Version, “until they got close to Beth-Shemesh.” The idea is that of a boundary line marking the limits of a town or region. This does not mean up to the very buildings of the city of Beth-Shemesh, but rather to the area around the city where its inhabitants had their fields.

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 .