For: this represents a common logical connector in Hebrew that is sometimes translated “Indeed.” It is, however, left untranslated by New International Version, New American Bible, and Revised English Bible as well as by Good News Translation.

You did it: literally “you did” or “you acted.” There is no pronoun “it” in the Hebrew. But the reference is clearly to the sin of David in committing adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband killed in battle. Good News Translation makes this clearer with “you sinned….” New Century Version says “You had sexual relations with Bathsheba in secret.” Others may prefer to say “you did wrong.” New Jerusalem Bible uses the verb “work” (“you have worked in secret”) here and in the contrasting statement about what the LORD will do. The same verb is found in both cases in the original.

You … I: the pronouns are emphatic in Hebrew, and this emphasis should be reflected in the receptor language if possible. The use of emphatic pronouns highlights the contrast between what David did secretly and what the LORD will do before all Israel. Fox shows this emphasis by translating “For you, you did it in secret, but I, I will do this….”

Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation use the conjunction but between the description of David’s secret action and God’s punishment. Another way of showing the strong contrast is “I on the other hand…” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

And before the sun: the preposition differs from that of the similar expression in the previous verse, but it has essentially the same meaning. It gives added emphasis to the fact that what will happen to David’s wives will be publicly seen and known.

A possible model for the verse as a whole:

• As for you, you acted so that no one knew what you did, but I, for my part, will act in this matter in such a way that everyone in Israel will know what I am doing. I will do it in the daytime so that everyone can see.

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 .