But: the common Hebrew conjunction here marks contrast, in that the sparing of Mephibosheth is contrary to what some readers might expect. However, the reason for this exception is clearly given. It was because of the oath that David and Jonathan had taken (see 1 Sam 18.1-4; 20.14-17, 42).

The order of this verse has been altered by Good News Translation. Translators will have to consider the different possibilities and decide which one sounds more natural in their own language. Translators should also be consistent here in the name used for Mephibosheth, using the same form that is used earlier in this writing.

The verb translated spared sometimes means “to be sorry [for],” as it does in 2 Sam 12.4, where Revised Standard Version renders it “he was unwilling.” But another meaning of this verb is “to spare” or “to save back.” This is the meaning here, as also in 1 Sam 15.15, where it is said that the people “spared” the best of the animals.

Because of the oath of the LORD which was between them: the word used here for oath is not the same as found in 1 Sam 18.3, which has the more common term for “covenant” (Revised Standard Version) or “agreement.” But David considered his promise to Jonathan divinely sanctioned. This whole expression may be more naturally translated “because they had made a promise to each other before the LORD” or “because of the promise he had made to Jonathan in the LORD’s name” (New Century Version).

The repetition of the idea found in which was between them and between David and Jonathan … is really unnecessary, and the two may be reduced to a single statement in most languages, since the meaning of the pronoun them is clarified in the second statement.

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 .