Then: this may give the impression that Joab was present during the conversation between David and the woman of Tekoa, and that David turned immediately to Joab and spoke to him. (Contemporary English Version gives this impression, with “David turned to Joab…”). It is, however, more probable that what is described in this verse took place some time after the encounter in the previous verses, and that Joab was not present for the conversation between the woman of Tekoa and King David. For this reason Good News Translation translates the conjunction “Later on….” Another way of expressing this may be “David called for Joab and said to him…” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Behold now: David’s statement to Joab begins with two particles in Hebrew that serve to focus attention on what he is about to say. Most modern translations leave both of these particles untranslated. New Century Version, on the other hand, starts the quotation with “Look…,” while Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Osty-Trinquet begin “So be it!” New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Revised Standard Version attempt to translate these words by beginning David’s statement to Joab with “Very well….”

I grant this: the demonstrative pronoun this refers to the whole idea of bringing Absalom back from exile. In some languages the idea can be made more explicit by saying “this thing you want,” or the whole phrase may be rendered “I am acting according to your advice” (Anchor Bible).

The young man Absalom: this is the first of five occurrences of this expression in 2 Samuel. It seems to stress the youth of Absalom, who is again referred to in this way in chapter 18 (verses 5, 12, 29, and 32). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh takes this to be a kind of affectionate term and translates it “my boy Absalom.” This may be a good model for a number of other languages to follow.

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 .