For: the Hebrew has only the common conjunction here, but it is clearly intended to connect what follows with the statement about David’s achievements. Many modern English versions, however, leave this untranslated.

He took his life in his hand: literally “he put his life [or soul, or being] in his palm.” This Hebrew idiom means that he risked his life (see 28.21; Judges 12.3). Life translates the Hebrew noun nefesh. In other languages this idea is expressed by a variety of ways, including “he did not think about his life” and “he refused his own safety.”

The Philistine refers to Goliath (see 17.48-51). In languages that lack definite articles, it will be necessary to use a demonstrative adjective like “that Philistine” or to resort to the proper noun, “Goliath,” as Good News Translation has done. New Century Version uses the name in addition to the more general reference, “Goliath the Philistine.”

Sin against: as in the previous verse, this means simply “to do wrong to,” although the wrong involved is murder.

Innocent blood: this common Hebrew idiom refers to the death of an innocent person (see Deut 10.10; 21.8; 2 Kgs 21.16; Psa 106.38; Matt 27.4). In most cases it will not sound natural or be immediately understandable if this is translated literally. In some languages it will be more natural to speak of “a person who has done nothing wrong,” or in this context, “one who has not offended you.”

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 .