Second … third: see the comments on birth order in verse 2 above. Note that the word “son” is not explicitly stated but is certainly to be understood in both cases.

Chile-ab: at this point in the parallel passage (1 Chr 3.1), the name given is “Daniel.” Anchor Bible reconstructs the name here as “Daluiah,” and this reading has support from the ancient Greek version and possibly from the Dead Sea Scrolls. But many experts consider that there is so little textual evidence for anything other than Chile-ab that it should probably be retained. Neither Hebrew Old Testament Text Project nor Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament acknowledges the other possibilities. A footnote may be added to inform the reader of the problem and possible solutions, if translators think one is necessary.

Of Carmel: this may describe either Nabal or Abigail and is probably true for both, but in the light of 1 Chr 3.1 it is probably intended here to refer to the origin of Abigail. Some manuscript evidence omits the words the widow of Nabal altogether. They may have been added by a copyist from 2.2.

The son of: this idea is expressed in other words by Good News Translation, “whose mother was….” This changes the focus slightly, but the meaning is the same.

Talmai king of Geshur: translators should seek the most natural order of these three elements in their own language rather than blindly following the order of Revised Standard Version. Some will say “King Talmai of Geshur,” while others may render these words “the king of Geshur, Talmai.” Geshur was a small Syrian kingdom located northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The people who lived in the kingdom of Geshur are not the same as the Geshurites mentioned in 1 Sam 27.8. If translators consider this to be important, the information may be stated in a footnote.

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 .