You have declared: the second person singular pronoun, you, is again emphatic. Some interpreters propose that the Hebrew verb should be corrected to a verb meaning “to make great.” This suggestion lies behind the translation in New American Bible, “Great is the generosity you showed me today.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, however, gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, on the other hand, does not give a rating to the MT here, since there really is no textual problem. Various scholars have suggested that the Hebrew verb should be corrected, but there is no basis for this either in the Hebrew manuscripts or in the ancient versions.

The LORD put me into your hands: see verses 4 and 10.

Into your hands: see the comments on 4.8.

In some languages it may be advisable to restructure this verse along the following lines:

• Although the LORD gave you the opportunity to kill me, you did not do it. So you have proven today that you are good to me.

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 .