Let no man’s heart fail: literally “Let not the heart of anyone fall upon him.” The meaning of this idiom may have to be made clear in the receptor language. Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which says “Let no man’s courage fail him.” Contemporary English Version, translating more dynamically, says “this Philistine shouldn’t turn us into cowards.”

Your servant will go: David refers to himself as Saul’s servant, utilizing the customary Hebrew indirect reference. Good News Translation says “I will go” but maintains the attitude of subordination by introducing the words “Your Majesty.” In many languages a literal translation of your servant will make readers think that someone other than David would go to fight Goliath. Since this is not the case, the pronoun “I” is much more appropriate.

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 .