The relationship of the words She fell at his feet to the words “she fell before David on her face” in verse 23 is not clear. Verse 24 is literally “and she fell at his feet.” It is possible to understand the action at the beginning of verse 24 as a restatement of Abigail’s action at the end of verse 23. This is the interpretation behind Good News Translation and Revised English Bible, which combine the two phrases into one event. See also New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “threw herself face down before David, bowing to the ground. Prostrate at his feet, she pleaded.”

Others, however, understand Abigail’s action in verse 24 to be in addition to the first action of bowing down a short distance away from David. See Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Osty-Trinquet, “Then she fell at his feet.”

Some understand Abigail’s words Upon me alone, my lord, be the guilt to be a standardized way of beginning a conversation with a superior. According to Anchor Bible, the sense is “Let any burden of blame that might arise from our conversation rest upon me and not you!” Most, however, understand her words to mean “Blame me alone and don’t blame my husband.” See the comments also on verse 28.

Abigail refers to herself in the third person (your handmaid) in the second half of this verse. It should be clear in the receptor language that she is referring to herself and not to someone else.

The second half of this verse as translated in Revised Standard Version may be confusing. On initial reading it may appear as if the same person is the subject of the verb speak and the verb hear. In fact she is asking that David hear what she is saying.

The expression speak in your ears may be used in some languages to mean “whisper” or say something privately, but this is apparently not the meaning here. Abigail is merely asking for a hearing. If a literal translation would give the wrong impression, it should be avoided.

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 .