About the time of her death: some may say more naturally “Just before she died” or “When she was at the point of death” (New Jerusalem Bible).

The women attending her: these words translate a participle of a verb meaning “to stand.” Used as a noun it means “a person who is in charge,” whether a foreman, a governor, or some other position of authority. In this context the reference is perhaps to “midwives,” though this is not the Hebrew term used elsewhere for midwives.

Fear not: this expression is intended to offer reassurance in a time of crisis. The same wording is used in the story of the birth of Benjamin, when Rachel was dying (Gen 35.17). But in this case it goes unheeded.

You have borne a son may be expressed very differently in other languages. Contemporary English Version, for example, has “it’s a boy!” While it may sound stilted in English, other languages may say quite naturally something like “the child that has arrived is a male.”

Give heed: literally “and did not put her heart.” This same idiom occurs in 2 Sam 13.20, where Revised Standard Version renders it “Do not take to heart.” In the present context this expression is very similar in meaning to did not answer, but the two expressions together reinforce each other.

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 .