Also: once again, this reflects the common Hebrew conjunction, which at this point indicates the continuation of David’s conversation with Zadok. The translation of the verb that follows may easily contain the meaning of the conjunction here. For example, if it is rendered “he continued” or something similar, there is no need for further translation of the conjunction. And in some languages it may be more natural to omit entirely the words that interrupt the flow of what David is saying to Zadok (as in Contemporary English Version).
Look: this does not reflect the Hebrew focusing particle but is rather a form of the verb “to see.” The imperative form of Revised Standard Version follows the understanding of the ancient Greek version, but the Hebrew is actually a rhetorical question and means “Do you see?” (compare Goldman, “Seest thou?”) or “Are you not a seer?” (Revised English Bible). This has also been rendered “Do you understand?” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) and “you are a good judge of things” (Contemporary English Version). Taking this to mean that he is to act as a spy, Anderson translates “Are you not an observant person?” The understanding of the ancient Greek version is, however, preferable at this point, since the Hebrew rhetorical question affirms that Zadok does understand the situation. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Hebrew text. But since the Hebrew is a rhetorical question, this may be translated “You [singular] understand the situation. Go back to the city….”
Go back to the city in peace: the expression “go in peace” was a common Hebrew way of saying goodbye. It was used, for example, by Eli to Hannah (1 Sam 1.17), by Jonathan to David (1 Sam 20.42), and, earlier in this chapter, by David to Absalom (15.9). But the wording is different here, and in this context it probably suggests that they are to slip quietly into the city without drawing attention to themselves, or that they should go back to Jerusalem where they would be safe. Contemporary English Version, for example, translates it “and don’t cause any trouble,” and New Jerusalem Bible “go back quietly into the city.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “you return to the safety of the city…” (Revised English Bible is similar).
In some languages the direct discourse in this verse will be more naturally rendered as an indirect quotation. A possible model like the following may be helpful: “… went on to tell Zadok that he should take his son Ahimaaz and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, and return to Jerusalem quietly.”
Revised Standard Version follows those interpreters who change the Hebrew words go back [singular] to the city to “you and Abiathar return to the city” (so also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives an {A} rating to the Hebrew text. But for reasons of translation Revised Standard Version may be followed in the receptor language. The last part of verse 27 in Hebrew says “Go back [singular] … and Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, your [plural] two sons with you [plural].” And verse 29 clearly indicates that Abiathar also returned to Jerusalem.
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 .