Many languages may require the same kind of restructuring as found in Good News Translation, where the verb phrase he reigned or “he ruled” comes before the location of his capital, At Hebron and at Jerusalem.

Six months: as in 2.11 it may be better in some languages to say “half a year,” as has been done by Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Contemporary English Version.

And at Jerusalem …: it will be important in some languages to clarify the fact that the thirty-three years in Jerusalem were in addition to the seven and a half years in Hebron. This may mean introducing the second part of the verse with words like “after that” instead of simply saying “and.”

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 .