So: this introduces a final summary of the story of Mephibosheth. The most natural transition word in the receptor language should be used here.

Ate … at the king’s table: see verses 7, 10, and 11. Translators should be careful in rendering the word always. The translation should not give the impression that Mephibosheth was always eating. Rather the idea is that each time he ate a meal, it was at the king’s table.

Lame in both his feet: while the lameness of Mephibosheth has been mentioned twice already (4.4 and 9.3), in this case the writer emphasizes that the lameness affected both his feet. This emphasis should be carried over into the receptor language if it is natural to do so. It should also be noted that the word used for lameness here is different from the one in 4.4 and 9.3. The word used there means “smitten,” or “broken down.” The word found here is the same as in 5.6, 8, which may be translated lame or “limp.” But since the meaning is essentially the same as in verse 3, if translators are unable to find adequate synonyms, it will be possible to use the same word in translation.

The structure of this verse has been modified by Good News Translation, making the statement about Mephibosheth’s lameness into a relative clause, but this may not be necessary in other languages. Naturalness in the receptor language will determine the kind of structure that should be used.

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 .