Very angry over the words: New International Version states that he was “very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said.” Other languages may have to say something like “Abner heard those words and became greatly annoyed.”

Am I a dog’s head of Judah? The words so translated are very difficult and have resulted in a wide variety of renderings. Some scholars think that the reference to Judah was not a part of the original question. The words translated of Judah are not in the ancient Greek translation. And so they are omitted by Moffatt, An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Osty-Trinquet, Anchor Bible, and Anderson. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and recommends that the words of Judah be translated. Because of the similarity between the Hebrew word for “dog” and the name “Caleb,” some interpreters have suggested that the meaning of the rest of the question is “am I a Calebite chief?” (The word for “head” may mean “chief” in some contexts.) Others have suggested that the reference is to a “dog-faced baboon” (see New English Bible). But both of these interpretations are unlikely.

The most probable meaning to be translated (although far from certain) involves disloyalty of a person who would stoop to deception and trickery to betray a trusting person, as a dog might turn on someone who feeds him. This seems to be supported by the words that follow this controversial question. In view of the context the most probable meaning of this expression is “Do you think I am a traitor?” If translators wish to retain something of the image of the original, they may be able to say something like “Do you think I am a dog in the service of the Judeans?” or “Am I like a dog following the Judeans around?” Translators may wish to refer to the discussion on the words Calebite and Caleb in 1 Sam 25.3 and 30.14.

Loyalty: see 2.5-6 as well as 1 Sam 15.6.

His brothers: in view of the fact that Abner is speaking to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, it may be more natural in some languages here to say “your uncles.” However, the Hebrew term translated brothers is sometimes used in a broader sense to include one’s relatives. For this reason Anchor Bible and Anderson translate this as “his kinsmen” rather than “his brothers,” and this probably is the intended meaning.

Have not given you into the hand of David: Revised Standard Version understands the Hebrew verb to mean that Abner has not turned Ishbosheth over to David. Similar is Revised English Bible, “I have not betrayed you into David’s hands.” Good News Translation, on the other hand, understands the meaning to be that Abner has continued to protect Ishbosheth from military defeat by David. New American Bible is similar to Good News Translation: “by keeping you out of David’s clutches.” Either meaning is possible and translators must simply choose.

A fault concerning a woman: literally “an offense of the woman.” The presence of the definite article is not reflected in Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation, but it seems to be important because it is a reference to the particular woman already mentioned. New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and Contemporary English Version speak of “this woman,” clearly referring back to Rizpah, who was introduced in verse 7.

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 .