Carry the ark of God back into the city: Zadok is instructed to see to it that the Covenant Box is returned to its rightful place in Jerusalem. The fact that Zadok would not have done this alone may affect the translation at this point in some languages. It may be necessary to use a causative form and say something like “make the box return to the city” or “cause people to take the box back into Jerusalem.”

If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD: that is, “If the LORD is satisfied with me” or “Should I win Yahweh’s favor” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Bring me back: that is, to Jerusalem. It may be a good idea to make this clear in some languages.

His habitation: or “its habitation,” referring to the Covenant Box. Contemporary English Version has “his tent.” In either case the reference is essentially to the same object, the tabernacle where the Covenant Box was kept and which was also considered the special “dwelling place of Yahweh.” It is, however, probably better to translate “its dwelling place,” “the place where it is kept,” or “the house where it is.”

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 .