Then: in some languages the common Hebrew conjunction may be adequately translated by the introduction of a new paragraph at the point.

Behold: see previous verse.

Is now yours: or “now belongs to you.” In some cases it may be necessary to give more detail as to how this happens. It is clearly by an authoritative declaration of David, who is still speaking as king. Kings had the authority to take lands and property belonging to one person and give them to another (compare 9.7). The translation may therefore say “I declare that you are now the owner of all that your master Mephibosheth used to own” or “by my decree [decision] you now possess what used to belong to your master, Mephibosheth.”

I do obeisance: the verb found here is most often used as a third person description of what another person does, and is not a part of what someone says when he is showing respect for authority. Here, however, it is something that Ziba says—presumably as he also performed the action. A similar first person form of the same verb is used in Psa 138.2, where it is translated “I bow down….”

Let me ever find favor in your sight: the form of Ziba’s statement here is that of a plea. For this reason it may naturally begin in some languages with “I beg you to….” The word ever is intended to show permanence of the condition requested. On the idea involved in the verb phrase find favor, see 15.25 as well as 1 Sam 1.18; 25.8; and Ruth 2.2.

My lord the king: there may be slightly different ways in certain languages to show the respect indicated by the use of these words in the speech of Ziba.

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 .