This verse begins in Hebrew with the common conjunction. Revised Standard Version translates it as Then, indicating a logical progression in time. In this context, however, the response of the soldiers is unexpected, since they dared to challenge King Saul. For this reason some translations begin this verse with the conjunction “But” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Fox).

Said: in view of the content of what follows, some modern versions have considered that the context requires a more emotive verb. Bible en français courant, for example, has “cried out,” and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “Saul swore [or, took an oath].”

God do so to me and more also: on oaths of this form, see the comments on 3.17. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “May the LORD punish me severely if I don’t put you to death.”

You shall surely die is the same emphatic expression as in verse 39 above. Fox has “for you shall die, yes, die, Yonatan!”

A good model for those languages that prefer to avoid direct discourse is found in Revised English Bible: “Then Saul swore a solemn oath that Jonathan should die.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .