Said: in view of the context, in some languages the verb may be more naturally translated “answered” (Good News Translation and Revised English Bible) or “replied” (New International Version).

Go: the parallel passage in 1 Chr 17.1 and the Syriac version lack this word. This imperative form of the verb “go” is often used as a kind of interjection, and in this setting it is almost certainly not a command for David to proceed to another place. A literal rendering of the word would therefore be misleading in most languages. Perhaps the closest idea is that of the English idiom “Go ahead!” (Anderson), which is a kind of authorization to put a plan into action.

All that is in your heart: the word heart is often used figuratively in the Bible for the inner personality functions of thought, will, or emotion. The context hints that David had a plan forming in his mind, and here Nathan seems to concur with that idea. On the use of the term heart, compare 1 Sam 1.8; 2.35. One African language translates “I know you don’t lack ideas in this matter. Do whatever you are thinking….”

For: it is because of the LORD’s presence that Nathan initially agrees that David should do what he wanted to do. So the transition word used in translation should convey this kind of relationship between the two clauses. In some languages it will be more natural to change the order of the elements in this verse and state that the LORD will be with David before telling him to do whatever he had in mind. Contemporary English Version provides a possible model for this type of structure: “The LORD is with you, so do what you want!”

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 .