The young man who served him: this expression refers to the personal attendant of Amnon. New Jerusalem Bible, like Good News Translation, has “his personal servant.” Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation translates the particle of entreaty, that is, “Please send her out of my presence,” perhaps because it would not be used in this kind of situation.

This woman: literally “this one” (feminine). The use of this expression indicates Amnon’s utter contempt for his sister at this point. Such a derisive reference would certainly never be used of closely related persons. It is similar to the scornful “this man” in 1 Sam 10.27. Here Moffatt has “this wench.” In some languages this may be translated “this person,” as if Amnon does not even know her name.

Out of my presence: the words of the original are another way of showing contempt. They are used in dismissing a person whose presence is very objectionable. Compare, for example, Exo 10.28. Some other ways of saying this are “out of my sight” or “far away from me.”

Bolt the door: the verb used here carries the idea of “fasten” or “fix in place.” In some cultures the closest equivalent will be “lock the door,” but in others a verb meaning “tie” or “fasten” may be more natural here. This will depend on how doors are normally secured in the receptor language culture.

After her: that is, “after she leaves the house” or “when she is outside.”

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 .