Then: the conjunction again introduces the next in a sequence of events. A new paragraph will be adequate representation in some languages.

Said again: a literal rendering of the Hebrew text is rather “added again … and said,” but the context may require a different verb in some languages in order to show determination. Note that Good News Translation has “insisted,” and some other renderings are “pleaded again” (Revised English Bible), “persisted” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “begged … again” (New Century Version).

Come what may: literally “let be what.” The idea here is “no matter what” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or perhaps better, “no matter what happens” (New Century Version).

Let me also run after the Cushite: Revised Standard Version is a literal translation of the Hebrew words, but the word also may cause confusion. The sense is “in addition to letting the Cushite run with the news, let me also run with the same news to David.” The sense is not that Ahimaaz wants to run after the Cushite along with some other person. Perhaps in order to avoid a wrong meaning, some translations omit the word also (so Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). New Living Translation says, “please let me go, too.” Good News Translation rewords this to express clearly the purpose: “please let me take the news also.”

My son: Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok (15.36 as well as verse 19 above). So if there is any danger that a literal translation may be taken as meaning that he was Joab’s literal, physical son, then it should be rendered in some other way. It is a term of affection, as in 1 Sam 3.6; 4.16; 24.16, but does not imply physical kinship in this context. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “my boy.”

Seeing that you will have no reward: the meaning of the Hebrew here is uncertain. Literally it says “you have no news that will find [anything].” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “you have no news worth telling.” And Knox translates “it is not good news thou wilt carry.” But most modern interpreters understand it to mean “you will get no reward for your news” (Revised English Bible).

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 .