But he said to him, that is, the servant said to Saul. Also, the verb said may be better rendered “responded” (Bible en français courant) or “replied” (New Jerusalem Bible) in the context of this conversation.
Behold translates two Hebrew words (see “Translating the Books of Samuel,” page 18 and following). The two words together serve to draw specific attention to the statement that follows and suggest that what the servant says is the logical consequence of the situation in which the two men find themselves. Many translations do not even attempt to translate this Hebrew idiom (so Revised English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Anchor Bible). New International Version says “Look, in this town there is a man of God.” New American Bible says “Listen!” In this context, the English words “Look” and “Listen” express both the sense of “Pay attention to what I am going to say” and “What I am going to say makes sense.” Many languages will have a word or expression that serves the same function and which may be used here.
A man of God: see the comment on this expression in 2.27. This man of God will be identified as Samuel in verse 14. This individual is held in honor. No agent is expressed in Hebrew, but the context suggests that the agent is human beings in general and not God. New Century Version says “People respect him.”
In this city: a walled city and probably Ramah, since this is where Samuel usually lived (7.17). But since there is no absolute certainty that this is the city referred to, it will be better not to make this explicit. It may, however, be included in a footnote.
All that he says comes true: the Hebrew idiom here is “all he says to come will come,” using the same verb as an infinitive and as a finite verb. This construction is used for emphasis or to express certainty. It is advisable to preserve this aspect of meaning in translation, as do Anchor Bible (“everything he says is sure to come to pass!”) and Klein (“Everything which he speaks is sure to happen”). Fox attempts to express this aspect of meaning by saying “all that he speaks comes, yes, comes-to-pass.” The sign of a true prophet was that what he spoke in God’s name came true (see Deut 18.21-22). This may be taken as a totally independent statement about Samuel or as an explanation as to why he is so respected. Probably the latter is what is intended (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and New Century Version).
About the journey on which we have set out: literally “our way that we walk on it.” Revised Standard Version (also Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) will perhaps suggest incorrectly that the man of God will talk about the travel in general terms. More specific translations may be helpful: “Perhaps he will tell us what way to take” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Even more specific are Good News Translation and Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, which both say “where we can find the donkeys” and which may serve as useful models. See also Bible en français courant: “perhaps he will indicate to us where we should continue our search.”
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 .