As already indicated, verses 15-17 are thought by some scholars to have been placed at this point in the text by a copyist’s mistake. But others feel that they are in proper order here and should be kept in place. If the present order is correct, then the woman shifts back to talking in parables as she had been doing earlier in the story, even though her approach was more direct in verses 4-7.

Now: in addition to the common conjunction, the Hebrew text also has an adverb of time that sometimes has a logical or emphatic use. If the order of the Hebrew text is retained, here it seems to serve as a logical marker introducing the conclusion of the encounter between the woman of Tekoa and King David. Goldman translates “Now therefore….”

My lord the king … your handmaid … the king: again the woman refers to herself and to the king indirectly in order to show respect. Again translators should look for equivalent ways of showing respect for authorities in the receptor language.

The people: this is taken by some as a reference back to “the people of God” (verse 13) but by others as referring to “the whole clan” in verse 7. The latter seems much more likely. Anchor Bible argues that the term so translated should be understood as meaning “a certain kinsman.” And Contemporary English Version is more vague, using “someone.” In view of the singular in the following verse (“the man who would destroy me”), this may be the best solution. The passive of New Jerusalem Bible, “I was being intimidated,” also avoids the problem, but this is not possible where the passive form will be unnatural or nonexistent.

Perform the request is literally “do the word.” Some possible model renderings are “grant the petition” (New American Bible), “do what I ask” (New Century Version), “follow the advice [of his humble servant]” (La Bible du Semeur).

His servant: this is another indirect and respectful way in which the woman refers to herself, but a literal translation may give the impression that she is talking about someone else.

It is very likely that the internal quotation reflecting what the woman thought, which is found within the larger quotation, will be better translated indirectly rather than directly: “… thought that if I spoke to the king he might do what I asked.”

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 .