Depending on how the last part of the previous verse is translated, it may be better to begin this one by saying “When David heard this he sent….”

It will probably be unnecessary to repeat the phrase the men of Jabesh-gilead here, since it has just been mentioned in the previous verse and will probably require a rather long expression in many languages. It may be quite adequate to say simply “those men” or “those people,” referring back to the longer expression in the previous verse.

May you be blessed by the LORD: this passive construction may be easily transformed into an active one by saying “May the LORD bless you…” as in Good News Translation (translated similarly in Contemporary English Version and New Century Version).

Loyalty: the term so translated (chesed) is a keyword in the Old Testament as a whole and in this book. It is repeated in the following verse, where it is unfortunately rendered differently in Revised Standard Version. In 1 Samuel it is rendered “kindness” (15.6), “loyal love” (20.14), and “loyalty” (20.15). In the book of Ruth it is rendered “kindness” (2.20 and 3.10). The meaning does, of course, vary with the context, and scholars continue to debate the precise meaning. Traditionally it was thought that the central idea was that of “mercy” or “steadfast love” (frequently in Revised Standard Version). More recent scholarship suggests that the basic meaning is related to “loyalty to covenant obligations.” In this context the idea of a loving fulfillment of contractual obligations seems to be in focus. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh seeks to represent it as “this act of faithfulness,” which is similar to Revised English Bible and which conveys the fact that the people of Jabesh in Gilead had “kept faith with Saul.” And New Jerusalem Bible speaks of “showing … faithful love.”

Your lord: the same word may be used for an earthly master or for God, but here it clearly refers to Saul and is therefore better rendered “your king” (Good News Translation) or “your master” (New International Version and New Century Version).

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 .