The maiden (see the comments on this noun in verse 2) was not only “beautiful,” as in verse 3, but she was very beautiful. If possible, the word used for “beautiful” in verse 3 should be qualified by an adverb meaning “exceptionally,” “indeed” or “truly” in this verse. Anchor Bible, for example, says “the girl was very beautiful indeed.”

She became the king’s nurse and ministered to him: As in verse 2, the Hebrew word translated nurse is a participle of a verb meaning “to be of service.” The verb ministered is sometimes used in the context of worship to mean “to minister” or “to serve” before God, but here the meaning is simply that she “waited upon” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “took care of” (Good News Translation) the king.

A literal translation of the final clause but the king knew her not may express the wrong meaning in many languages. Use of the verb “to know” is a common Hebrew idiom meaning “to have sexual intercourse with” (as in Gen 4.1; Jdg 19.25; Matt 1.25). Contemporary English Version says “But David did not have sex with her.” If a euphemism for sex exists in the receptor language, it may be used here. Compare the following English euphemisms: “but the king did not make love to her” (God’s Word), “… did not have relations with her” (Anchor Bible), and “… was not intimate with her” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). As noted in the introduction to this section, it is not clear whether the end of this verse should be understood to mean that David did not attempt to have any sexual relationship with Abishag or whether he tried but was unable. The Hebrew states simply that David did not have sex with her, without any further comment. But the reason for the statement may have been to show that it was time for a new king to replace King David.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .