But: marking contrast with the expectation that the invitation would be accepted. David rejects the notion that all his family should attend the celebration.

Lest we be burdensome: literally “lest we be too heavy for you.” This provides the explanation of why David did not want so many people joining in the festivities associated with the shearing of the Absalom’s sheep. It would be too costly and cause a great deal of effort on the part of Absalom and his workers. This explanation can and probably should be made into a separate sentence in many languages. Some may prefer to say something like “If we all went to the feast, it would require too much of your money” or “Your people would have too much work to do if we all went and celebrated with you.”

He pressed him: the verb in the Masoretic Text means “to burst out” or “to break through.” Most interpreters agree that the second and third consonants in this vowel have been accidentally reversed. The correct verb is “to urge strongly.” Translators should ensure that the pronoun references are clear, or else they should change one or more of the pronouns to nouns. The verb pressed carries the idea of further pursuing the matter and not taking no for an answer. This insistence is expressed in other translations as “urged him” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, and New American Bible); “was insistent” (New Jerusalem Bible); “begged David” (New Century Version); “tried to get him to change his mind” (Contemporary English Version).

Gave him his blessing: Good News Translation understands this as a kind of polite dismissal of Absalom by his father. New Jerusalem Bible similarly translates “dismissed him.” Contemporary English Version, on the other hand, takes it as wishing him well: “He only said that he hoped they would have a good time.” Since the translation “asked Absalom to leave” does not necessarily imply that David blessed Absalom, Revised Standard Version seems to express the meaning of the Hebrew better here than Good News Translation does. What is important, however, is that David did not give in to the request.

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 .