No: the negation is used here as opposing Absalom’s suggestion that Hushai should join David. Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translate it as a question, “How could I?” Contemporary English Version, on the other hand, makes it a clear statement of impossibility, “I can’t leave.” And Anchor Bible similarly says “I didn’t.”

In translation of Hushai’s words it is better not to be too precise, since he carefully avoids naming names. Up to this point at least, his words may be understood to refer to Absalom, but also to David.

In Hebrew the verb chosen is in the third person singular. A more literal translation is “whom Yahweh has chosen and this people and all the men of Israel.” Though the Hebrew does not state explicitly the reason that God and the people chose Absalom, it may be helpful to do so in translation. Compare Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, “… whom the LORD has chosen and whom all the men of Israel have made their king.”

This people and all the men of Israel: the two groups referred to by these words are (1) those people who were present at the time and (2) all the other people of Israel. Since the second expression is all-inclusive, some may prefer to use it alone, as Contemporary English Version does, but there does seem to be a special emphasis on those who were present. And this should be retained in translation, unless it will be unnatural to do so.

As noted in the discussion of verse 3, some interpreters understand the term Israel in this chapter to refer specifically to the northern tribes. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, for example, says “… all the people and the Israelites from the north.”

His I will be, and with him I will remain: in the Hebrew text the word “not” is written instead of the word “to him,” that is, “I will not be.” But this reading makes no sense, so all translations follow the correction indicated in the margin of the Masoretic Text.

This inverted sentence structure may be very strange if imitated in other languages. Even in English most modern versions turn it around. Also note that, while Hushai uses third person pronouns (his and him), these will have to be changed to second person (“yours” and “you”) in most languages. Hushai is speaking directly to Absalom, but since he is trying to convince him that he is a sincere follower, he uses the indirect reference that is normally used with royalty to show respect.

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 .