It was apparently the example of Rizpah in looking out for the bones of her sons that reminded David that he should do something about the bones of Saul and Jonathan. Because verses 11-14 deal with the bones of Saul and Jonathan, Contemporary English Version makes this a separate section. However, this is probably not a good idea, since the bones of the seven men who had been hanged or impaled are also included (however incidentally) in verse 13.

Since the name David is used in the beginning of this sentence (in the previous verse), it will be more naturally rendered by the pronoun “he” in this verse in some languages. But this will not be the case if a new section is started at this point.

The men: literally “the owners [or, masters]” (so Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, and see the comments on this term in 1 Sam 23.11). The translation “the people” (Good News Translation) is too general and does not adequately convey the meaning of the Hebrew noun.

Jabesh-gilead: as in 2.4-5 (see also 1 Sam 11.1, 9; 31.11), it is probably better to translate this place name in such a way as to show that Gilead is a region and not simply a part of the name of the town. Some translators may say “Jabesh in the territory called Gilead.”

The relative clause, which begins who had stolen …, is a kind of parenthetic explanation that is really a flashback describing what was done previously. For this reason translators should pay special attention to the verb forms used in the last part of this verse. It may be necessary in some cases to reverse the order of verses 11 and 12 as Contemporary English Version has done.

Public square: or “broad place” (Goldman). The Hebrew term so translated refers to a level, wide space located near the entrance gate of most large cities in the Old Testament. This area was used to handle public business of various kinds. For the account of what happened to the bodies of Saul and Jonathan, see 1 Sam 31.8-13.

The Hebrew verb here translated hanged is different from the verb translated “hang” in verses 6, 9, and 13. The verb here clearly means “to hang.”

On Gilboa: as noted on 1 Sam 28.4 (which see), the Hebrew text here and there says only Gilboa, not “Mount Gilboa.” The same preposition that Revised Standard Version here renders on is rendered “at” in 1 Sam 28.4. Here, as in 1 Sam 28.4, Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible say “at Gilboa.” That Saul died on Mount Gilboa is, however, clearly stated in 1 Sam 31.8.

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 .