And: the conjunction here simply indicates the continuation of the story and may be left untranslated in many languages.

Said: as in 9.1, there is no indication in the text as to whether this was something David said to himself or to another person. Here Anchor Bible takes it as a thought. But in those languages that require an object for such verbs, it may be best to add “to those around him” or “to some people.” Some versions, such as Bible en français courant, say “David said to himself.” But even if this began as a thought, David must have eventually spoken it to others.

Deal loyally with … dealt loyally with: these expressions involve the same key Hebrew term as already seen in 2.5-6; 3.8; 7.15; 9.1, 3, 7; as well as in 1 Sam 15.6; 20.8, 14, 15. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh again uses the expression “keep faith with.”

So: it was as a result of David’s thought about the kindness shown to him by Nahash that he took the action that follows. The transition word should show this logical relationship. Some languages may even use something like “therefore” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant).

Servants: this term has been variously rendered as “envoys” (New Revised Standard Version), “a delegation” (New International Version), “representatives” (New Jerusalem Bible), “courtiers” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “a mission” (Revised English Bible), and “officers” (New Century Version). A literal translation would be misleading in most cases. These representatives, sent to communicate the condolences of one king to another, were not lowly household servants.

Note how the structure of the last part of this verse has been altered by Good News Translation. It begins a new paragraph with a temporal clause introducing the events described in verse 3. Revised English Bible and New Revised Standard Version adopt a very similar structure. This may prove to be a helpful model for some other languages.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .