The expression all the people is one that is sometimes used for an army (see, for example, 1 Sam 13.22; 23.8; 2 Sam 12.29), but in this case it apparently refers more broadly to people in general. If translators have been following the interpretation of these chapters in which Israel refers to the northern tribes only, then they should say here “the northern tribes” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The distinction made in verse 11 between the tribe of Judah and the tribes of Israel makes it almost certain that the tribes of Israel here must refer to “the northern tribes of Israel.”

Were at strife: the verb so translated is used in a wide variety of ways in the Old Testament, but in this context it seems clear enough that the idea is “arguing” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, and New American Bible), “discussing” (Revised English Bible), or “disputing” (New Revised Standard Version). Some other ways this has been expressed in English versions are “all was dissension” and “began to argue” (New Century Version).

Saying: in many cases it will be necessary to indicate to whom this was said. The most obvious solution is to add something like “to each other,” since this is in the context of a debate or quarrel between different individuals and groups of people.

As in previous passages the hand of our enemies and the hand of the Philistines refers to the power of those who opposed Israel. It will be better in most languages not to translate this literally. The Hebrew word rendered hand is not the usual word for hand, but is rather the word for the palm of the hand. Here, however, it is used as a synonym for the more common word for hand. A more dynamic rendering of the whole expression may be a word like “oppression” or “persecution.”

The two Hebrew verbs translated delivered and saved in Revised Standard Version are translated saved and rescued in Good News Translation. The two verbs are synonyms here, and it is difficult to find any intended distinction in meaning. Revised English Bible says “saved” and “freed,” while New Jerusalem Bible says “freed” and “saved.”

The land refers to the territory of Israel. In some languages it will be necessary to say “our country” or more specifically “the land of Israel.”

From Absalom: Absalom, of course, is now dead, and this may need to be stated in translation. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which combines verses 10 and 11, “David had to flee from his royal palace because of Absalom whom we made king, but now Absalom is dead.”

Contemporary English Version restructures verses 9 and 10 so that there are elements from verse 10 that come before certain parts of verse 9. If such restructuring is found necessary in the receptor language, the verse numbers will have to be combined. The two verses actually give a brief history of the troubles in Israel in the form of a direct quotation. The Contemporary English Version restructuring of 8b-10 is as follows:

• After Israel’s soldiers had all gone back home, everyone in Israel started arguing. They were saying to each other, “King David rescued us from the Philistines and from our other enemies. But then we chose Absalom to be our new leader, and David had to leave the country to get away. Absalom died in battle, so why hasn’t something been done to bring David back?”

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 .