Lamented with this lamentation: a “lament” is a kind of funeral song sung in honor of a person who has recently died. Because it is usually sung, most modern versions use a verb like “chanted” (New American Bible), “intoned” (New Revised Standard Version), or, as in \jmp Today’s English Version, “sang” (New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible, Moffatt, and An American Translation). In those languages that have a special noun for this kind of mourning song, it should probably be used here. Several English versions use the word “dirge” (An American Translation and Moffatt), while others have “sang this elegy” (Anchor Bible). While most versions indicate that David actually performed this lament, others seem to focus on the fact of its composition. La Bible du Semeur translates “David composed this complaint concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,” and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “For the death of Saul and Jonathan, David composed a funeral song.”

Over Saul and Jonathan: a literal translation of the preposition over might be misunderstood to suggest that the bodies of Saul and Jonathan were present when David sang the funeral song. But this was not the case. The meaning of the preposition here is rather “concerning” or “for.” In some languages this idea will be included by using a benefactive form of the verb, that is, a form of the verb which indicates that the action was done for someone’s benefit.

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 .