Abner Defects to David

The following is a stained glass window from the Three choir windows in the Marienkirche, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, of the 14th century, depicting Abner’s defection to David:

Source: Der gläserne Schatz: Die Bilderbibel der St. Marienkirche in Frankfurt (Oder), Neuer Berlin Verlag, 2005, copyright for this image: Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

See also other stained glass windows from the Marienkirche in Frankfurt.

complete verse (2 Samuel 3:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 3:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Abner had said those words, Ishbosheth became afraid until he could not replied a word.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because he was very much afraid of Abner, Ishbosheth was not able to say anything.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ishboshet did- not -dare to say anymore for he was afraid of Abner.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ishbosheth was very afraid of Abner, so he did not say anything in reply to Abner.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 3:11

This verse may be restructured as in Good News Translation, if it is more natural to provide the reason for Ishbosheth’s fear before indicating that he was speechless. But instead of stating that it was impossible for Ishbosheth to speak, some languages may prefer to say something like “dared not answer” or “did not presume to respond.”

He feared him: that is, Ishbosheth was afraid of Abner, and this should be made clear.

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 .