This verse contains a quotation within a quotation. Good News Translation has restructured it by changing the second quotation into an indirect quotation. This may be a good model in other languages also. If a direct quotation is used for the end of the verse, then it should be clear that the pronouns me and my refer to David and not to Bathsheba.

My lord: In addressing David in this way, Bathsheba continues to show great respect. In other languages it will be necessary to say “O king” or “My king.”

You swore … by the LORD your God: See the comments on verse 29 below. For LORD refer to the discussion on “Translating Lord and LORD” in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 11-12. When Bathsheba speaks to David using the expression the LORD your God, this may suggest to some readers that she does not worship the same God as David. And the fact that Bathsheba’s first husband was not an Israelite (2 Sam 11.3) might reinforce this idea. But this is probably not the intended meaning. So translators may prefer to render these words simply “the LORD God.”

Your maidservant: As in verse 13, this indirect reference shows respect, but it may have to be translated by a simple pronoun in many languages.

For the phrases shall reign after me and shall sit upon my throne, see verse 13.

The presence of independent pronouns for you and he in the Masoretic Text may suggest that a slight emphasis is intended. Anchor Bible, for example, translates “My lord, you swore … and he shall sit upon my throne.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .