Saul’s anger was kindled: on this expression to describe personal rage, see the comments at 17.28.

You son of a perverse, rebellious woman: this is a difficult expression in Hebrew. Perverse: the Hebrew verb in this form means “agitated” or “disturbed.” Rebellious is literally “rebellion.” New Jerusalem Bible clearly captures the negative connotations: “Son of a rebellious slut!” See also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente “[You] Bastard!” While these versions take this rebuke as a reflection on Jonathan’s mother, Contemporary English Version focuses on Jonathan himself and translates “You’re no son of mine, you traitor!” The Dead Sea Scrolls and one ancient version have “you’re just like a runaway slave girl.”

The question do I not know…? is a rhetorical question. It is a strong statement that Saul knows quite well that Jonathan is in league with David. So this question will be more naturally translated in many languages as a statement (so Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Have chosen: the Septuagint says “are a partner [or, companion] of.” Revised English Bible, following the Septuagint, says “you have made a friend of the son of Jesse.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text, but the difference in sense between “to have chosen David” and “to have become a friend of David” is negligible for translation purposes.

The son of Jesse: see the comments on verse 27.

The shame of your mother’s nakedness: Revised English Bible says “to bring dishonour on your mother.” Contemporary English Version translates “your own mother should be ashamed that you were ever born.”

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 .