My father: Jesse, not Saul, was David’s biological father. But David’s words to Saul show his respect for the king. Elisha calls Elijah “my father” (2 Kgs 2.12), the king of Israel calls Elisha “my father” (2 Kgs 6.21; 13.14), and Naaman’s servants call him “my father” (2 Kgs 5.13). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders these words here as “sir,” and Revised English Bible says “my dear lord.” Later Saul addresses David as his “son” (see verse 16). See also 3.6, where Eli calls Samuel “my son.” Some languages may be compelled to translate “you are like my father” in order to avoid misunderstanding. If a literal translation is preferred, a footnote may be necessary to avoid confusion.

The skirt of your robe: see the comments on verse 4.

Know and see: see the comments on 12.17.

Wrong or treason: the first word means “evil” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “wickedness,” or “harm” (New American Bible). Revised English Bible says “violence.” The translation of this term as “mischief” (New Jerusalem Bible) seems rather weak. The second noun means “rebellion” (New American Bible) or “revolt.” Instead of literally translating the clause, there is no wrong or treason in my hands, in which these two nouns are the implied subject of the verb “to be,” some languages may prefer to make David the subject, using the first person singular pronoun, “I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion” (New International Version) or “I’m not trying to harm you or to rebel” (Contemporary English Version).

Hunt my life: literally “lie in wait for my soul [nefesh].” On the word nefesh, see the comments at 1.10. The Hebrew verb used here is relatively rare and seems to imply “ambush” (Contemporary English Version). But most versions are content with a more general word like “hunt down” or “pursue.”

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 .