Oh: the exclamation is a translation of an emphatic particle that is sometimes rendered “indeed.” It serves to strengthen the statement that follows. It is left untranslated in many English versions, but some older versions have “Yea” (King James Version, Goldman) and others have “rather” (An American Translation and Moffatt). In some languages the use of a more emphatic verb or verb form may be a legitimate rendering of this particle.

Let him take it all: Mephibosheth hereby shows a total lack of concern for the material advantage involved. In his joy that King David has returned, he is willing to give up any claim to his inheritance. In some languages it will be more natural to word this meaning as “Give it all to him.”

Since my lord the king has come safely home: Mephibosheth is speaking directly to King David; for this reason the words my lord the king will be more naturally translated “you” or “your majesty” in certain cases. But the meaning of the phrase as a whole may have to be filled out in many languages. The point is that the safe return of King David was sufficient benefit for Mephibosheth. He did not need anything more. So he was willing to let Ziba have the half of the property that would have been rightfully Mephibosheth’s according to the king’s decision. Some may wish to translate this verse as a whole as “Mephibosheth answered, ‘I don’t care if Ziba takes it all. The only thing that matters to me is that you, my king, have come home safely.’ ” The word translated safely is the same as in verse 27, where it is rendered “in peace.”

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 .