Once again, in the context of this conversation between Jonathan and David, the verb said may be translated more dynamically as “answered” or “responded.”
Tomorrow is the new moon: the Hebrew has no verb here. It is supplied by Revised Standard Version. But in many languages the whole first sentence of David’s reply will have to be turned around to say something like “the new moon will appear tomorrow night” or “people will celebrate the festival of the new moon tomorrow night.”
The new moon: the Israelites held a religious ceremony on the night of each new moon, that is, the night on which the crescent moon first became visible again. Regulations for this celebration are found in Num 28.11-15. The festival continued during the next twenty-four hours, and work was forbidden during this time (Amos 8.5).
I should not fail to sit: literally “to sit I will sit.” This may be rendered in some languages as “I am certainly expected to sit down” or “I am definitely invited.” Fox says “when I must sit, yes, sit beside the king to eat.” On the translation of Hebrew reinforcing verbs, see page 20.
At table: literally “to eat.” The literal reading will be a more natural way to translate in some languages.
But let me go: literally “and you have sent me away.” This seems to be a way of asking Jonathan’s consent to the plan of action being proposed. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “but you will let me go,” and New Jerusalem Bible reads “but you must let me go.” Good News Translation attempts to convey this idea of asking for approval by beginning this part of David’s speech with the words “if it’s all right with you, I will go.”
The field: see the comments on 19.3.
The third day at evening: literally “until the evening the third.” Good News Translation and New International Version render this in more natural English as “the evening of the day after tomorrow.” The Septuagint lacks the word third. New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Osty-Trinquet are based on the Septuagint, saying only “until evening” (see also verse 12).
Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament considers the word “the third” of the Masoretic Text to be a later addition, inserted here on the basis of verses 12 and 19. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament therefore gives a {C} rating to the Septuagint and recommends that it be followed here.
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 .