I have one request to make of you is literally “one request I am requesting from you.”

Do not refuse me is literally “do not turn back my face.” The Hebrew idiom, which occurs also in verses 17 and 20, means “do not turn me away in humiliation.” Though many translations are similar to or identical to that in Revised Standard Version, the Hebrew idiom is a bit stronger. The sense is “don’t cause me to turn my face away in shame and humiliation.”

The word “please” is not in the Hebrew but is introduced by Good News Translation because of the context. The statement may in fact sound too abrupt without it. And it should be noted that the next verse contains a polite particle in the speech of Adonijah.

Say on is the same expression as at the end of verse 14. However, it may be translated differently because of the slightly different context. Since Adonijah has specifically stated that he wants to request something, Bathsheba’s answer may be something like “What is your request?” or “Tell me what you want” or simply “Go on” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .