The king went over: according to some manuscripts of the Septuagint, the king “stood still,” which seems to mean that neither the king nor Barzillai had yet crossed over the Jordan River. The Septuagint is followed by Revised English Bible (“All the people crossed the Jordan while the king waited…”). New American Bible is similar, “but the king remained.”

Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text in this case. If the MT is followed, the translation of the verb went over will depend on how verse 19 was translated. If verse 18 states that the king is crossing the river, then a verb in the pluperfect will be needed here. Compare “and the king, having [already] crossed…” (New Jerusalem Bible). But if verse 18 says only that the king “was about to cross the Jordan” (New Revised Standard Version), then it will be necessary here to say that he “crossed over” (New Revised Standard Version) at this point in the story.

Kissed: the problems involved in two adult men kissing have already been considered. Compare 14.33; 15.5; 1 Sam 10.1; 20.41.

Blessed him: in those languages where only God can be the subject of the verb “bless,” it may be necessary to translate “asked God to bless him.” Compare 2 Sam 6.18, 20, and other passages where this verb is used with a human subject.

It should be made clear in translation that he returned to his own home (literally “to his own place”) refers to Barzillai and not to David, even though it is true that David also was returning home to Jerusalem.

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 .