Sang to one another: some understand this verb to mean that the women sang to one another (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and Revised English Bible), but others, to mean simply that they sang (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible). The latter seems preferable.

As they made merry: that is, “as they rejoiced.” This represents the same verb that is translated “made sport” in the story of Samson (Judges 16.25, 27) and “play” in 2 Sam 2.14.

The words of this song are repeated in 21.11 and 29.5. The conjunction waw (and [David]) connects what is said about Saul to what is said about David. Were the singers intending to contrast what Saul and David had accomplished (“but”), or were they simply stating what both had done (and)? Either is possible, but at least some sense of contrast or addition seems intended.

In addition to Good News Translation, the following versions mark that contrast with the conjunction “but”: Revised English Bible, New Century Version, and An American Translation. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant, Moffatt, and Knox omit the conjunction altogether. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch also uses a conjunction marking contrast. Curiously, New American Bible has “and” in this case but uses the contrasting conjunction “but” in 21.11 and 29.5. Translators are, however, advised to be consistent whichever solution is adopted.

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 .