But: this translates the common Hebrew conjunction, which is often translated “and,” but the context seems to require a word showing contrast.

Steadfast love: the Hebrew word so translated is rendered “kindness” by Revised Standard Version in 1 Sam 15.6 and “loyal love” in 1 Sam 20.14 (see the discussion under those verses). See also 2 Sam 2.5, where the same term is translated “loyalty.” Knox says “I will not cancel my merciful promise,” highlighting the idea of fidelity to a specific agreement.

As I took it from Saul: it should be made clear in translation that the pronoun it in this case refers to the steadfast love just mentioned. Contemporary English Version focuses on the idea of loyalty to an agreement and renders the overall meaning as “I will never put an end to my agreement with him, as I put an end to my agreement with Saul.” This is an allusion to the events narrated in 1 Sam 13.13-14.

Whom I put away from before you: the basic idea of the verb put away is “to get rid of,” as Eli told Hannah to get rid of her wine (1 Sam 1.14), and as Saul got rid of mediums and wizards (1 Sam 7.4). God got rid of Saul as king in order to be able to install David in his place. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh speaks of “Saul, whom I removed to make room for you.” New Century Version makes this a separate sentence at the end of the verse, saying “I removed Saul when I turned to you.” Good News Translation makes it clear that the position involved was that of king.

A possible model for the verse as a whole is:

• However, I will not withdraw my faithful love from him even though I did withdraw that love from Saul, who was king before you but who had to be removed.

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 .