The verbal expressions do not cut off and cuts off reflect the Hebrew word that is sometimes used of excommunication from the social and religious community of Israel (Lev 7.20), and sometimes of total destruction (1 Sam 24.21). The latter meaning seems to be intended in the second occurrence of the verb here. The first occurrence, however, has an object (your loyalty) and is used with the negative. It may be translated positively as “keep on being kind to….” Or, if the negation is retained, “never withdraw your kindness” (New American Bible).

Loyalty represents the same word discussed under the verbal expression “deal kindly” in verse 8. See also comments on 15.6, where this same term is translated “kindness.”

My house: that is, my “family” (New Century Version) or my “descendants” (Bible en français courant). Jonathan here asks for something more than was involved in the pact made in 18.3, namely that David’s loyalty would extend to members of his family who lived on after his death. This is at least partially fulfilled in 2 Sam 9 by David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son.

The enemies of David: Hebrew switches from direct address, your, to indirect reference, of David (see page 12). But since Jonathan is speaking directly to David, it will be more natural to say “your enemies” as in Good News Translation. On the possible meaning of the enemies of David as “David’s sons,” see the comments at the end of verse 16.

From the face of the earth: while this is an accurate literal rendering of the Hebrew, the meaning is “from the surface of the earth” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), or simply “from the earth.” The idea of this expression is rendered by the adverb “completely” in Good News Translation.

Contemporary English Version rearranges the whole of verses 14 and 15, combining elements of the two. This restructuring is worth citing as a possible model for other languages:

• Someday the LORD will wipe out all of your enemies. Then if I’m still alive, please be as kind to me as the LORD has been. But if I’m dead, be kind to my family.

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 .