Then translates the common Hebrew conjunction, which functions here to move the story on to the next event. Many translations mark the transition by beginning a new paragraph and leaving the conjunction untranslated (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible).

David’s words If I have found favor in your eyes imply that he must already have lived at least a short time in the royal city. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is justified, therefore, in beginning this verse as follows: “After a short time David said to Achish.” Or translators may prefer to say “After a while….” David’s words are prefaced by the particle of entreaty in Hebrew.

Found favor in your eyes: see the comments on 1.18, and compare also 16.22; 20.3, 29; 25.8.

Let a place be given me: literally “they should give me a place.” This may imply that some intermediary authority had to approve the request; but since Achish was the final authority, the passive construction of Revised Standard Version may be better translated as “let me have a place” (New American Bible), or possibly “grant me a place” (Revised English Bible). That the final authority belonged to Achish is confirmed in the following verse.

One of the country towns: that is, one of the smaller towns located around Gath. New Jerusalem Bible and Klein say “one of the outlying towns [or, cities].” La Bible du Semeur speaks of “any village in the countryside.”

Your servant: David is here referring to himself in a polite way. In most languages a personal pronoun will have to be used. See “Indirect reference” on page 12 and following.

The royal city: that is, Gath (see verses 2-3).

For why…? This is a rhetorical question, which is translated in the form of a statement in some common-language translations (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). The meaning is “I don’t need to live in the royal city with you” (New Century Version) or “I’m not important enough to live here with you in the royal city” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .