And: the common conjunction here introduces something that is somewhat contrary to expectation. It adds a new element as far as the watchman is concerned—something that he had not previously noticed.

To the gate: while the Masoretic Text has “to the gatekeeper” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation) or “porter” (Goldman), the Septuagint has the noun “gate,” which is the basis for the translations “to [or into, or toward] the gate” (An American Translation, Revised English Bible). And some ancient versions have “from the gate above” (compare New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible). In Hebrew the nouns “gate” and “gatekeeper” have the same consonants but different vowels. The general meaning is virtually the same in any case, but probably it is best to translate the meaning “to the gatekeeper” as recommended by Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, which gives a {B} rating to that reading.

See: this reflects the same word that is often used as a focusing particle to call attention to what is about to be said. Here it calls attention to the new information that the watchman has noticed and then passes on to the king.

Alone: the two runners were not together, and so each one is described as being “alone.” However, the presence of two men may make it inadvisable to translate this word explicitly in the receptor language.

Tidings: see the comments in the previous verse.

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 .