The word rendered a man is almost certainly intended to speak of any person, whether male or female. For this reason New Revised Standard Version and New Century Version translate “people,” and New International Version has “anyone.”

Do obeisance: see 1.2; 9.6; also 1 Sam 24.8; 28.14.

Would put out his hand: the verb form should again reflect the fact that this was not a one-time matter but something that was repeated many times. For a person in authority to stretch out his hand to another who was showing respect in this way was a way of trying to win favor by treating them more like equals. To further take hold of him, and kiss him was an even more obvious means of trying to persuade people to join him in the event of a rift with King David. On the idea of “kissing” between two unrelated male adults, see 14.33.

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 .