And: the conjunction here serves to introduce the logical succession of events and may be translated “Then” as in Good News Translation or possibly left untranslated as in New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, and others.

Afraid of the LORD: the same root word is used here as when Old Testament writers speak of “the fear of the LORD,” meaning respect or reverence for the LORD. But the context seems to indicate apprehension or dread. Some other renderings are “distraught” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant); “terrified.” The addition of the words that day shows that this was a special emotion based on the events just experienced.

The question which David asks, How can the ark … come to me? as it is worded, seems to attribute supernatural powers to the ark, in that it would be able to “come” to David on its own. This, however, is not what is intended, and such a meaning should be avoided. The idea is that David was afraid to become the person responsible for the ark. New Revised Standard Version tries to show this meaning with “How can the ark of the LORD come into my care?” In some other languages it may be more natural to have David ask “How can I become the keeper of the ark of the LORD?” (“How can I be responsible for the ark of the LORD?”) or “How would I dare to have the ark of the LORD brought to my place?” (La Bible du Semeur).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .