This verse will be difficult to translate in some languages because it contains a quotation within a quotation. First, David’s thoughts are expressed in direct quotation. Then, in his thoughts David quotes the words of the conquered people, So David has done. Revised English Bible deals with the second quotation in the following manner: “He let neither man nor woman survive … for fear that they might denounce him and his men for what they had done.”

So David has done: literally “this David did and such.” While this is presented as a direct quotation, it is clearly not the exact words of anyone.

All the while he dwelt … the Philistines: as stated in verse 7, David lived among the Philistines for sixteen months.

The country: here, as in verse 7, it does not simply mean that David lived in the territory of the Philistines, but also that he lived in the countryside of the Philistines rather than in one of the five major Philistine cities.

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 .