And as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David: The Hebrew verb rendered came is a participle, indicating continuous action, so it is better translated “was coming.” It may even be better to say “was being brought” (Good News Translation) to avoid giving the impression that the Covenant Box was mysteriously moving on its own power. Where a language has no passive form, it may be necessary to use an indefinite expression such as “they were bringing” or to specify that “the Levites were bringing.” Probably because Jerusalem is specifically mentioned in the previous verse, Good News Translation has only “the city” in this verse, where the text reads the city of David (see the comments on 1 Chr 11.5 and 13.13).

Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window: Michal was one of David’s wives (see 1 Sam 18.17-30). The relationship between David and Michal is not stated in this verse, but some translators may consider it important to inform the reader that she was one of David’s wives. Contemporary English Version does so in a footnote. The window is better rendered “her window” (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation) since no window has been mentioned before.

And saw King David dancing and making merry: The Hebrew verb rendered making merry may mean “leaping as in sport” (see the comments on this verb at 1 Chr 13.8). Good News Translation says “leaping for joy” (similarly La Bible du Semeur). The Hebrew verb is sometimes used of children playing, so New Jerusalem Bible says that David was “playing.” Contemporary English Version adds that this was done “in honor of the LORD.” But it may be better not to provide this detail here.

And she despised him in her heart: Despised translates a Hebrew word that is a very forceful term denoting a strong aversion or feeling of scorn. The words in her heart might indicate that Michal did not share her feelings with those around her at the time, or possibly it suggests the depth of her feeling. For this whole clause Bible en français courant has “Then she had a profound contempt for him,” and New Century Version says simply “she hated him.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .