Most of this verse constitutes a parenthetical explanation of the status of the Gibeonites and their relationship to the people of Israel. The first sentence of this verse is shifted to the beginning of verse 3 in Good News Translation, so that the entire verse is enclosed in parentheses in that version. If this is done in other languages, the verse numbering should probably be adjusted to show that verses 2 and 3 are combined. Or translators may prefer to follow the model of New Century Version, which places the first sentence of Revised Standard Version at the end of verse 2 rather than at the beginning of verse 3. In this way the integrity of verse 2 is maintained.
Between the first and second sentences in the Revised Standard Version translation, the Hebrew text has the words “and he said to them.” Since David’s words do not immediately follow, and the same words are repeated at the beginning of verse 3, following the parenthetical statement of verse 2, most modern translations do not translate these words. But compare New International Version, which says “The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them.”
So: the common Hebrew conjunction is so translated in Revised Standard Version because David’s action in summoning the Gibeonites is seen as a result of the situation described in verse 1.
Of the remnant of the Amorites: the Amorites were one of the tribes of people who lived in the land of Palestine before the Israelites took it over. In the process of taking the land, the Hebrews killed many of the former inhabitants, but those who remained are called a remnant. These remaining people were allowed to stay in the land, but they became servants to the Israelites (Josh 9.23, 27). Some possible translation models for this expression are “some of the remaining descendants of the Amorites” or “a group of Amorites who were still in the land.”
Had sworn to spare them: in the person of Joshua, the people of Israel had made an agreement with the Amorites to allow them to live (see Josh 9.3-27). Saul’s violation of this peace treaty was considered to be murder that defiled the land (see Num 35.33-34).
The verb tenses in this parenthetical explanation (had sworn and had sought) may present a problem to some translators. It is a kind of flashback to an earlier time when Saul was still alive and struggling against other people who still lived in Canaan. Translators should ensure that their readers understand this as referring to events that had occurred some time in the past and not at the time when David was dealing with the problem. One way of handling this problem may be to add a word or phrase showing clearly that what is said refers to something that had happened earlier. Translators may insert in the middle of the parenthetical explanation, at the point where Revised Standard Version has although, words like “some time before…” or “long ago….”
In his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah: the words in his zeal translate a verb form in Hebrew. The text does not specify the nature of Saul’s zeal, but La Bible du Semeur is probably correct in rendering this “in his nationalist zeal for the Israelites and the Judeans.” It will probably be better in many languages to restructure this clause. New Century Version, for example, says “But Saul was very eager to help the people of Israel and Judah. So he tried to kill all the Gibeonites.” Contemporary English Version expresses the meaning more clearly, “but Saul had tried to kill them because he wanted Israel and Judah to control all the land.”
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 .