Deeply moved: this expression in English may have a positive or negative meaning. But it will be better to show clearly in translation that the emotion felt by David was that of extreme sadness and distress. Both New American Bible and New International Version say that he was “shaken.” Knox speaks of the king being “in bitter sorrow,” while New Century Version says that he was “very upset.”

The chamber over the gate: on the architecture of the city gates in biblical times, see the comments on verse 24 above.

As he went: this is the reading of the Masoretic Text, followed by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other modern translations. The Septuagint and the ancient Syriac, however, read “as he wept,” and this is followed by New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible. The two Hebrew words translated “as he went” and “as he wept” differ in spelling by one letter only. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests that the reading “as he went” was changed to agree with the statement that he wept. Translators are urged to follow the Masoretic Text, to which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {B} rating. The verb he went does not mean that he went somewhere else after he went up to the chamber over the gate. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation correctly say as he went.

He said: the quotation that follows was almost certainly not something that was said only once. New Jerusalem Bible translates “he kept on saying….” In some languages a habitual form of the verb should be used. And in most cases a more vivid verb than said will also be required.

While the fivefold occurrence of the words my son may seem awkward, this way of speaking in time of sorrow is an indication of the extreme grief felt by David. Where it is not too unnatural, as much repetition as possible should be retained.

After the initial cry, my son Absalom, the structure of David’s lament is such that it focuses on his statement about wishing that he had died instead of his son. The structure may be seen more clearly when laid out graphically as follows:

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 .