Come over with me: the invitation includes not only crossing over the Jordan River but also going on to Jerusalem, where David was willing to provide for all the needs of the elderly Barzillai. It may be necessary in some languages to add “to Jerusalem” at this point, as Good News Translation has done in English, rather than waiting until the end of the verse.

Provide for you with me: in place of for you, the Septuagint reads “for your old age.” This reading is followed by New English Bible and Bible de Jérusalem. It is worth noting, however, that both Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible reject this addition, agreeing with the recommendation of Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, which gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text. Possibly the reading of the Septuagint was influenced by the similar wording in Ruth 4.15. The words with me are sometimes rendered “at my side” (New Jerusalem Bible), “in my household” (Revised English Bible), or “as my guest” (New American Bible). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch apparently renders this single Hebrew word as “in the palace.”

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 .