The transition word And in Revised Standard Version will be unnecessary in many languages, but a transition word such as “Then” (New Living Translation) or “Thereupon” (Bible en français courant) better express the relationship to the preceding verses.

There are a couple of textual problems in this verse, but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {C} rating to the MT, and this Handbook recommends that the Masoretic Text be followed. The words at Hebron come from the ancient Greek version and are not in the original Hebrew. The meaning of the preposition tachtaw in the Hebrew text is the subject of much speculation. The footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation both translate it “where he was.” Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation follows the MT here. The preposition often means “under” or “beneath,” but it may also mean “instead of.” Some possible translations are: “on his own behalf” (New Jerusalem Bible and similarly New International Version and Revised English Bible); “immediately” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “in Telam” (New American Bible, and see the comments on “Telem” is the discussion of 1 Sam 27.8). The interpretation of Anchor Bible is essentially the same as that of New Jerusalem Bible and others: “as his representatives.” This solution is perhaps the least unattractive of the possibilities that have been proposed. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests that this preposition be translated “where he was,” as in 2.23.

To whom does the land belong? The Hebrew words that Revised Standard Version attempts to translate in this way are so difficult that New Jerusalem Bible leaves a blank space in the text and notes only that “a few words are corrupt.” They are also omitted by An American Translation, Moffatt, and Anchor Bible. While the words are difficult, the most probable meaning is something like the following: Abner did not consider Ishbosheth to be the real ruler of Saul’s kingdom (see verses 6, 11, and 2.8). Abner considered himself to be the ruler, that is, the one to whom the land belonged, but he was willing to make a covenant with David by which David would become king. Some possible renderings are “who is going to rule the land?” (New Century Version) or “who is to control the land?” (Revised English Bible). Contemporary English Version, however, takes it to mean “You should be the ruler of the whole nation.”

Make your covenant with me: the word for covenant is first found in Gen 6.18 (see also 1 Sam 4.3). Here the idea is that of a military alliance. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Moffatt, and Anchor Bible use the word “pact,” while Revised English Bible translates “let us come to terms.”

Behold: see the comments on 1.2 (and 1 Sam 4.3).

My hand: the hand represents the power of the person to whom it belongs. Abner is promising that all the political and military might in his power will be committed to David and his cause. Some possible models are “I will give you my support” (New Revised Standard Version) or “I will help you” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

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 .