Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 19:8

The Hebrew text begins by stating that there was war again and identifies the enemy nation only when telling whom David fought. Good News Translation restructures to tell at the beginning that the war was against the Philistines.

The Hebrew does not mention any troops, stating only that David fought the Philistines and defeated them. Elsewhere the writer of 1 Samuel refers to Saul (13.4; 14.47-48; 15.20), Jonathan (13.3) or David (23.5b; 30.17) alone when the reference is certainly to the entire army that they command. It is therefore reasonable to say “David and his army” in this context.

Made a great slaughter: see the comments at 4.10, and compare also 6.19.

So that they fled before him: the defeat of the Philistines was so disastrous that it caused them to run away in complete disorder.

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 20:16

Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente states in a footnote that “verse 16 in the Hebrew text is obscure and slightly different translations are possible.” A comparison of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation illustrates how different translations of this verse may be.

One difficulty concerns the meaning of the verb translated “made a covenant” in the Revised Standard Version footnote. The Hebrew is literally “Jonathan cut with the house of David.” This may mean “cut a covenant” (so New Revised Standard Version) as in 22.8, or it may mean “cut off [or, destroy],” as in verse 15. Some interpreters correct the Hebrew text by changing the active verb “cut” in the Masoretic Text to the passive verb “to be cut,” and by changing the preposition “with” to the preposition from (so Revised Standard Version and Stuttgarter Erklärungsbibel). These changes find some support in the reading of the Septuagint.

The second sentence in this verse is literally “And the LORD sought [vengeance?] from hand of the enemies of David.” The connection of this sentence with the first sentence is not clear. New Revised Standard Version provides one possible translation of the Hebrew text by making the second sentence the content of the covenant oath: “Thus Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May the LORD seek out the enemies of David.’ ”

Revised English Bible follows the Septuagint in reading “him” instead of “the enemies of David,” that is, may the LORD take vengeance on David himself. Revised English Bible basically follows the Greek in the following translation of this verse: “may the LORD call him [David] to account if he and his house are no longer my friends.”

Some propose that the Hebrew should be changed to read “house of Saul” instead of “house of David.” Compare New Jerusalem Bible (and similarly Osty-Trinquet): “Do not let Jonathan’s name be exterminated [corrected to a passive verb] with Saul’s family, or may Yahweh call David to account.” Following a different understanding of the text, Fox places “David’s enemies” in quotation marks and translates “may YHWH seek (it) from the hand of ‘David’s enemies’!” and then explains in a footnote that later scribes have added the word “enemies” in order to avoid placing a curse on David.

Because this verse and the preceding verses are so obscure, it is difficult to recommend any one translation over another. One thing is important: translators may be tempted to follow one translation in one part of a verse and then a different translation in another part of the verse. The result may be a translation that makes little or no sense. It is important that verses 12-16 hold together logically. Notes such as those cited above from Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and other translations may be used to inform readers that the Hebrew text of these verses is very difficult to understand and that the translation is uncertain.

Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and proposes the following interpretation: in 16a Jonathan makes a covenant with David, and 16b consists of an oath that Jonathan makes David swear. Also, the words “the enemies of David” are a euphemism, as in 2 Sam 12.14, for the “sons of David,” who ought not to be referred to in a cursing formula. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends the following translation of verses 15-16 and suggests that a note be used to state that “David’s enemies” means “David’s sons”:
and you will not cut off your kindness from my house for ever, even not when the LORD cuts off David’s enemies, every one of them from the face of the earth! Thus Jonathan made the covenant with the house of David: “May the LORD call David’s enemies to account!”

The following translation attempts to express more clearly the sense of the translation proposed by Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament:

• and do not cut off your kindness from my descendants for ever, not even when the LORD destroys every one of your descendants from the face of the earth! So Jonathan made the covenant with the family of David, and David said, “May the LORD call my descendants to account if they do not keep this covenant.”

Compare also the Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente rendering of verse 16, which follows here the recommendations of Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament:

• This is the promise that Jonathan imposed on David and on his descendants, saying: “May the LORD not take account of the descendants of David if they do not obey it [the promise].”

Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente has the following footnote on this verse:
Verse 16 in the Hebrew text is obscure and there are several slightly different translations possible. The word translated “descendants” is, in Hebrew, “enemies.” But the term “enemies” has been used in order to not attribute to the descendants of David a curse formula.

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 21:7

This entire verse is taken as parenthetical by Good News Translation and Nueva Biblia Española, but this does not seem to be necessary, since it does continue the story. It may, however, be wise to restructure the content of the verse following the Good News Translation model, because it may be more natural to reorder the information presented. In many translations this verse stands alone as a paragraph (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

The word servants is translated “officials” in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh. Good News Translation transposes the idea of “chief herdsman” to the beginning of the verse, thus avoiding the need to translate the more general term.

Mention of Doeg the Edomite prepares the reader for the incident in 22.9-19. The people of Edom were long-time adversaries of the Israelites (Num 20.14-21).

Detained before the LORD: many versions in English translate the Hebrew verb as “detained,” in agreement with Revised Standard Version (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). What such a translation will mean to most readers is not clear. In fact, the sense of these words in Hebrew is not clear; the meaning may be negative or it may be positive. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh explains in a footnote that the Hebrew may mean “excluded from the shrine, perhaps because of ritual impurity.” Others, however, understand the words in a more positive sense as in Good News Translation (Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

The adjective translated the chief of means “strong,” “powerful.” While it may be understood figuratively to mean “chief” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or “head” (New International Version), it is equally possible to understand literally that Doeg was the “strongest” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “the bravest” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Herdsman: this translates a participle from the root meaning “to tend [or, keep] flocks of sheep.” Because some interpreters think Doeg is included among Saul’s guards in 22.17-18, they would change one consonant in the Hebrew word herdsman to harmonize verse 7 with 22.17. Osty-Trinquet, for example, follows this conjecture in reading “wanderer” (French coureur); and New American Bible says “henchman.” The preliminary report of Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text.

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 23:1

In order to indicate that this is the opening of a new story, Contemporary English Version inserts the words “One day” at the beginning of this chapter. Other languages may have similar devices that can be used here.

Now they told David: literally “And they told David saying.” But the pronoun they has no clear antecedent. It is probably intended to be vague, and for this reason some versions use the passive, “David was told” (New International Version); “this was reported to David” (Revised English Bible). But where the passive is not an option, translators may prefer to say “David received information” (New American Bible) or “someone told David” (New Century Version).

Keilah (see Josh 15.44) was a town in Judah just five kilometers (or about three miles) south of Adullam (22.1). The Philistines were, of course, fighting against the people of this town and trying to take it over. Their main interest, however, seems to have been stealing grain.

Robbing the threshing floors: the word floor in English may make the reader think of something made of wood, but threshing floors were hard, level surfaces in the open air, located outside of towns, where the blowing winds could separate the seeds from the husks. People either walked on the grain or dragged a heavy board over it, and then tossed both grain and husks into the air. The wind blew away the lighter husks, but the heavier grain fell to the ground. The Philistines were not actually stealing the threshing floors but rather the grain that was being threshed there. Good News Translation makes clear that it was the “grain” that was being stolen and not the threshing floor itself, but it fails to indicate the place from which the grain was stolen. New Century Version may be a useful model: “robbing grain from the threshing floors.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 24:7

The precise meaning of the verb rendered persuaded is disputed. The verb in its root form means “tear apart” or “divide.” In the form in which it occurs in this verse, the meaning is not clear. One Jewish translation keeps close to the root form: “broke by his words the intentions of his men.” Other translations include “scolded … severely” (New Revised Standard Version) “reproved” (Revised English Bible), and “restrained” (New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible).

With these words: that is, with the words recorded in the previous verse. The fact that this whole section seems to be out of chronological order has led several modern versions to restructure the passage. Revised English Bible combines verses 4-7, and Contemporary English Version puts 6 and 7 together.

In view of the shift in focus in the middle of this verse, it may be helpful to begin a new paragraph with the last sentence, as in Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and certain other versions.

Rose up: because Saul had been in a squatting position, this verb may be taken in its literal sense and not as a serial verb, as may be the case in another context.

Went upon his way: the context makes it clear that Saul did not get very far away from the cave before the next episode in the story took place. For this reason New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates in a manner very similar to Good News Translation, “started on his way.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 25:19

Young men: or “servants.” See the comments verse 5.

Behold: see the discussion of this focusing particle on page 18 and following.

In languages where indirect discourse is preferred over the direct quotation in this verse, translators may wish to say “Then she told her servants to go ahead, and she said she would come there later.”

Did not tell her husband: that is, she did not let her husband know what she was doing. The Good News Translation rendering “said nothing to her husband” should be understood to mean that she said nothing about her plans to placate David, not that she refused to speak to him at all. Some languages will have to say “said nothing to her husband about this matter.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8

Then said Abishai: the verb is the common Hebrew verb meaning “to speak.” In this context, however, it is appropriate to say that Abishai “whispered” to David (so New American Bible and Contemporary English Version).

Into your hand: that is, “into your power.” See the comments on 4.8.

The words this day do not refer to the daylight hours of the day but rather to the twenty-four-hour period. In this context Good News Translation correctly says “tonight” (see verse 7).

Let me pin him to the earth with … the spear: these words remind the reader of Saul’s attempts to pin David to the wall with his spear (18.10-11 and 19.9-10). Abishai’s claim that he will not strike him twice should not be understood to mean that he will not be cruel by repeatedly spearing Saul. Rather, his aim will be perfect the first time. Moffatt says “I will not need to strike him twice!” Reference to the spear, using the definite article, seems to indicate that Abishai wants to use Saul’s own spear, which was stuck into the ground nearby, as mentioned in the previous verse. This is brought out in translation by New Jerusalem Bible, which (like Good News Translation) speaks of “his own spear.” The Masoretic Text says, with two Hebrew words, “with the spear and to the earth.” Probably the letters in these two words should be divided differently to read “with his spear to the earth.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 28:4

The town of Shunem, which overlooked the eastern end of the Valley of Jezreel, was located about twelve kilometers (or seven and one-half miles) northwest of Mount Gilboa. Mount Gilboa rises to a height of 520 meters (about 1700 feet) above sea level.

Depending on the perspective of the receptor language, the verb rendered came may become “went” (Contemporary English Version) or “advanced” (New American Bible). This verb of movement is, however, left implicit in certain modern versions. Others leave the verb assembled implicit.

At Gilboa: though Good News Translation says “Mount Gilboa,” it is uncertain whether the name Gilboa refers to the mountain or to a nearby city by that name. Here and in 2 Sam 21.12, the Hebrew text says only Gilboa and not “Mount Gilboa” as elsewhere in the Old Testament. The Hebrew may be rendered “at Gilboa” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or “on Gilboa” (New American Bible). The English preposition “on” in New American Bible clearly suggests that the reference is to Mount Gilboa, and “on Gilboa” also occurs in the Revised Standard Version translation of 2 Sam 21.12.

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 .