Fled: see the comments on 19.18. In this context some languages may prefer to say “continued running away” or “started running again,” since this is not the first time David tried to get away from Saul.

Naioth in Ramah: see the comments on 19.18.

The difference between the verbs came (Revised Standard Version) and “went” (Good News Translation) is a matter of the perspective of the writer. Since the writer of the books of Samuel was probably not located where Jonathan was, the verb “went” will be more appropriate in most languages. And since David had previously been where Jonathan was, some may prefer to say “went back [to Jonathan].”

The words came and said before Jonathan sound strange in English. Indeed, certain manuscripts of the Septuagint change the word order to something that sounds more natural: “came before Jonathan and said.” In any case this seems to be the meaning of the unusual order, so it is possible to translate simply “came and said to Jonathan.” And since a question follows, many translators may wish to render it “came and asked Jonathan.”

The three questions What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin…? are not three different matters. Rather they focus on a single fact. David cannot see that he has done anything at all to deserve Saul’s anger. For this reason the conjunction and introducing the third question may be out of place in many languages. Since the intent of these questions is to deny forcefully any wrongdoing, one or more of them may be translated by an emphatic statement like “I have done nothing wrong!” Because of the cumulative effect of the three items, they should not be reduced unless absolutely required by the receptor language. In using the words guilt and sin, David is not thinking of any technical distinctions. They are simply synonyms for wrongdoing.

Seeks my life: the Hebrew word (nefesh), translated life, is often rendered “soul” in other contexts. But the whole expression indicates that Saul wanted to take away David’s life; that is, he wanted to kill him.

In some languages the crucial question about why Saul wanted to kill David may come more naturally at the beginning of the series of questions (so Contemporary English Version) rather than at the end.

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 .