Then: the Hebrew conjunction here merely indicates the next step in the fast-moving story of David’s encounter with Shimei.
Abishai the son of Zeruiah: as in 1 Sam 26.6, it may be better to make it clear to the reader that Zeruiah was Abishai’s mother and not his father. Compare also 2.13, 18; 8.16; and 14.1.
This dead dog: see the comments on the used of the expression dead dog at 9.8 and 1 Sam 24.14. Here Abishai is belittling Shimei as much as possible. Contemporary English Version retains the image but fills out the meaning, with “this man is as useless as a dead dog!” Abishai is not really asking for information, so in some languages it may be better to turn this question into a statement. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, “This wretched man should not curse the king.”
My lord the king: in most languages the pronoun “you” will be a much better translation of these words, since Abishai is speaking directly to King David. But somewhere in the quotation or the introduction to it, the wording should show that Abishai paid proper respect to King David. In some languages the most natural way to do this will be to introduce the question by saying “Abishai said respectfully…” and then use only the pronoun “you” in the words of Abishai.
Go over: the verb used here should be one that depicts a person going across a ravine to the opposite hillside. Verse 13 describes the setting more clearly, but the verb here means “cross over.” The Hebrew contains the common particle of entreaty, which may be translated “let me go over, please” (New American Bible).
Take off his head: a more natural verb in most languages will be “cut off” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “chop off” (Contemporary English Version). Other languages may have special terms meaning to “behead” a person.
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 .