The verb said may be more naturally rendered as “prayed” (New Century Version, Contemporary English Version), since it introduces David’s prayer to Yahweh.

Thy servant: regarding use of indirect reference, see page 12 and following. Since David is talking about himself in the third person, a more natural way to translate will be to use the first person singular pronoun in most cases.

Surely heard: literally “to hear he heard.” See the comments on use of reinforcing verbs, page 20 and following.

The relationship between Saul’s coming to Keilah and his intent to destroy that city may be more clearly expressed in English by the use of “in order to” between these two elements: “Saul wants to come to the town of Keilah in order to destroy it.”

On my account: that is, “because of me” or “because I am here.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The word therefore reflects only the common conjunction in Hebrew. And since the content of this verse is essentially a repetition of what is said at the beginning of verse 12, this logical connector seems out of place.

The wish expressed by David (May the LORD …) is followed by five different verbs, but the sense may be summarized by two main ideas: (1) a favorable decision toward David and (2) David’s deliverance from Saul. Contemporary English Version condenses the meaning of this verse as follows: “I pray that the LORD will help me escape and show that I am in the right.” But the cumulative effect of the multiple verbs is significant and should be reproduced in translation insofar as it is possible to do so naturally.

From your hand: that is, “from your power.” See the comments on 4.8.

New Jerusalem Bible expresses the meaning clearly and may provide a helpful model for translating this verse: “May Yahweh be the judge and decide between me and you; may he examine and defend my cause and give judgement for me by rescuing me from your clutches!”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Present: literally “blessing” (see also 30.26). The sense is probably that the gift is offered with a wish of blessing. In view of the nature and variety of things that Abigail had brought to David (verse 18), this may be more naturally translated as a plural, “these gifts.”

Which your servant has brought to my lord: that is, which Abigail has brought to David. Abigail continues to speak to David in the third person while referring to herself also in the third person as his servant. In many languages both of these indirect references will be translated by pronouns: your servant will become “I” and my lord will be “you.” But it will be good to include appropriate forms of politeness such as “Please, sir” (Good News Translation) to convey the attitude of respect found in the original.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This thing that you have done is not good: Abner is in fact accused of failing to fulfill his responsibilities rather than of actually doing something. The idea is “You have performed poorly” or “What you have allowed to happen is not good.” Contemporary English Version translates dynamically “You’re a complete failure!”

As the LORD lives: see verse 10 above.

You deserve to die: literally “for you [are] sons of death.” This may also be translated “you are destined to die.” See the same Hebrew idiom in 20.31 and 2 Sam 12.5. In Hebrew these words and the following verb you have not kept watch are plural, referring to the soldiers under Abner as well as to Abner himself. Good News Translation adds the word “all” in order to show that David is talking to both Abner and the army. But in languages that distinguish the singular and plural second person pronouns, the use of the plural pronoun alone should be adequate.

The LORD’s anointed: see the comments on 2.10.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The text leaves implicit the fact that the woman apparently did indeed cause Samuel to come into her presence so that she could actually identify him.

No reason is given in the text to explain how the woman recognized Saul after seeing Samuel. Any answer is simply speculation and should not be part of the translation of this verse.

The verbs cried out and said [to Saul] seem to refer to two different utterances. What the woman cried out is not specified, but it was very probably a shout of apprehension with no specific words. Her fear seems to be based not on the recognition of Samuel but on the fact that at the same time she realized that her visitor was really King Saul. Contemporary English Version makes two sentences: “… she screamed. Then she turned to Saul and said….”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

David’s inquiry is made up of two questions, but they should probably not be thought of as two separate matters. Although virtually all translations translate the two questions separately, the overall meaning seems rather to be “Will I catch up with those raiders if I go after them?”

This band: that is, “the people who took our families” (New Century Version) or “the people who raided our town” (Contemporary English Version). Others may say “these raiders,” or “these outlaws,” or “those pillagers.”

You shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue: literally “to overtake you shall overtake and to rescue you shall rescue.” The Hebrew construction contains two sets of reinforcing verbs and expresses certainty. This is often translated by using an adverb such as “surely” or “certainly.” Neither verb has an explicitly stated object. In some languages it may be necessary to say “overtake the raiders and rescue the captives.” In order to communicate the certainty reflected in the Hebrew construction, it is possible to translate “I assure you that you will catch up with the raiding party and that you will rescue your women and children.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .