The concluding verses of the previous chapter leave the impression that all is well between Saul and David, but the content of this chapter shows that this is not the case. So the transition word used at the beginning of this verse is rather important. The common Hebrew conjunction is represented by and in Revised Standard Version, while most other modern versions leave it untranslated. But New American Bible, New Century Version, and Contemporary English Version, which translate “But,” may be better models, since they show the contrast between the reader’s expeCritique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testamention that the two adversaries will be reconciled and the fact that the antagonism actually continues. In fact, David plans to flee to the territory of the Philistines so that Saul will finally give up looking for him in Israel. According to verse 4, Saul does in fact stop looking for him.

Said in his heart: see the same expression in Gen 8.21; 24.45; also the comments on “speaking in her heart” in 1 Sam 1.13. This expression may also be translated “David thought to himself” (New International Version, Revised English Bible), or simply “David thought” (New Jerusalem Bible). It seems to convey the idea of a nagging doubt in the mind of David in spite of the happy ending to the story in the previous chapter. In some languages it may be possible to translate “kept wondering.”

Hand is used two times in this verse to mean “by the power of” or “under the control of.” See the comments on 4.8.

There is nothing better for me may be expressed without the negative as “the best thing for me to do” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). Another possible model is “I have no choice but to…” (New American Bible).

Escape: see the comments on 19.10.

The land of the Philistines: other ways of expressing this are “Philistine territory” (Revised English Bible) or “the country of the Philistines” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel: Revised Standard Version translates the form of the Hebrew here literally. New Jerusalem Bible provides a dynamic model that maintains the image of Saul searching for David throughout the country of Israel: “then Saul will give up tracking me through the length and breadth of Israel.”

In languages where internal thoughts such as David’s are more naturally translated as indirect discourse, the following model may be considered:

• David thought to himself that Saul was eventually going to kill him. So he decided that the best thing for him to do was to run away to Philistine country. He thought that Saul would finally give up looking for him all over Israel, and so he would be safe.

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 .