It happened: this verse begins as the previous one with a form of the verb “to be” that is traditionally translated “And it came to pass” (King James Version). This form, however, simply serves as a kind of transition marker and may be translated using the natural transition devices of the receptor language, indicating the passage of a certain amount of time since David had sent his troops into battle against the Ammonites.
Late one afternoon: literally “at the time of the evening.” The use of the expression “one evening” (Anchor Bible, New American Bible, Revised English Bible, and New International Version) may make the reader think of a time after dark. It was, however, more likely “towards evening” (New Jerusalem Bible) or late in the afternoon just toward the setting of the sun. Compare 1.12 as well as 1 Sam 14.24 and Ruth 2.17.
Arose from his couch: probably David was getting up from his afternoon siesta before his evening meal. Translations should therefore avoid giving the impression that he had already gone to bed for the night. New American Bible makes this quite specific with “rose from his siesta,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “got up from resting.” The thought is similar to that in 4.5, where it is said that Ishbosheth was taking his noonday rest. Couch translates a noun that is rather literally “a place of lying.” The noun may refer to a simple mat, a royal sofa or lounge, or even a stand on which a corpse or a coffin is placed. In this context the general word “couch” probably expresses the correct meaning in English. Certain versions say simply “bed” (New International Version, New Century Version). Several translations avoid representing the object by using words like “nap” (Contemporary English Version), “siesta” (New American Bible), or “resting” (New Jerusalem Bible) to describe what David had been doing there.
Walking on the roof: this may sound strange indeed in languages where people do not have flat roofs and never go up on the roof of a house except to make repairs. But it does reflect the biblical culture and should not be made to fit the culture of the receptor language. In some languages an explanatory footnote may be required. But it will also be legitimate to translate “flat roof” (Contemporary English Version) instead of simply “roof.” Compare also Josh 2.6-8 and 1 Sam 9.25-26.
The king’s house: in some languages it will be more natural to say “his house” or “the palace.”
A woman bathing: Good News Translation “taking a bath in her house” may be misleading. Probably she was not inside a building where David was able to see her through a window, but in the courtyard of her house and plainly visible to David, whose palace was at a higher elevation. As is suggested in verse 4, this bathing probably included the ritual purification required by Lev 15.19-24 following a woman’s monthly menstrual flow of blood. Contemporary English Version attempts to bring out this aspect in translation by saying “bathing as her religion required.”
The woman was very beautiful: the idea rendered “very beautiful” is more literally “of very good appearance” or “very good to look at.” While this is taken as a separate sentence in most versions, it may be necessary in some languages to combine it with the previous sentence and say something like “saw a very good-looking woman bathing” or “watched a woman who was very beautiful while she was taking a bath.”
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 .