Good News Translation makes it clear that Abiathar and Zadok were the fathers of Jonathan and Ahima-az. See 15.27, where Jonathan and Ahima-az are first identified.

En-rogel: the first letters of this name in Hebrew, ʿeyn, mean “spring.” This refers to a water source located in the Kidron Valley near the place where it joins the Hinnom Valley to the southeast of the city of Jerusalem. While most English versions transliterate the two parts together as a single name, it will probably be better to translate the meaning of at least the first part, “the spring of Rogel” (Knox) or “Rogel Spring” (Contemporary English Version). The meaning of the word rogel is thought to be “fuller,” a person who shrinks and thickens wool cloth by moistening, heating, and pressing; therefore New Jerusalem Bible and Bible en français courant translate both parts, “the Fuller’s Spring.” Compare also Josh 15.7 and 1 Kgs 1.9, which refer to this same spring. Another possible way to translate this name is to transliterate the Hebrew name and then include the meaning of the name in parentheses following the name (so Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Like Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Fox keeps both the Hebrew and the translated meaning of the name by saying “Ein Rogel/Fuller’s Spring.”

Maidservant: the word found here is usually used of a female slave. See chapter 14, where the term is frequently used. Compare also Ruth 2.13 and 1 Sam 1.18; 8.16.

The verb forms used to go and tell … and they would go indicate habitual or repeated action on the part of the woman and the two messengers. In languages that have habitual verb forms, they should be used here.

The structure of this verse may need to be modified in some cases. The part that says for they must not be seen entering the city comes at the end of the verse in the Hebrew text. But this is an explanation of why Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at the Rogel Spring, and for this reason it has been shifted forward in Good News Translation and a few other English versions. This will probably be more logical in most other languages as well. Remarkably, even King James Version does this! It may also be wise to state the name of the city, as in Good News Translation, even though the Hebrew does not.

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 .