The relationship between Blessed be your discretion and blessed be you may be expressed in different ways. While the two elements may be seen as equal (“I thank God for you and for the wisdom you have shown”), it is also possible to relate them as follows: “may God bless you for the good judgment you have displayed.”

Discretion renders a noun meaning “perception” or “good sense” (Contemporary English Version, La Bible du Semeur). Other renderings include “good judgment” (New American Bible) and “wisdom” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Bloodguilt: see the comments on verse 26 above.

With my own hand: on this expression, see also verse 26.

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 .