But: this reflects the common Hebrew conjunction, which does not necessarily imply contrast. What is presented in the following sentence is simply an additional fact that is a part of the story.

Good News Translation radically alters the order of the different elements in this verse. Translators should consider what kind of word order will be most natural in their own language.

Spoke … neither good nor bad: the translation of Contemporary English Version, “treated Amnon as though nothing had happened,” takes this expression to mean that Absalom said nothing about this matter to Amnon, but most versions understand it to mean that he said nothing at all to his half brother. That is, he was so angry with him that he would not talk to him about anything. This seems to be the more likely meaning of the text.

Forced: see the comments on this same verb in verses 12 and 14.

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 .