So: this introduces a final summary of the story of Mephibosheth. The most natural transition word in the receptor language should be used here.

Ate … at the king’s table: see verses 7, 10, and 11. Translators should be careful in rendering the word always. The translation should not give the impression that Mephibosheth was always eating. Rather the idea is that each time he ate a meal, it was at the king’s table.

Lame in both his feet: while the lameness of Mephibosheth has been mentioned twice already (4.4 and 9.3), in this case the writer emphasizes that the lameness affected both his feet. This emphasis should be carried over into the receptor language if it is natural to do so. It should also be noted that the word used for lameness here is different from the one in 4.4 and 9.3. The word used there means “smitten,” or “broken down.” The word found here is the same as in 5.6, 8, which may be translated lame or “limp.” But since the meaning is essentially the same as in verse 3, if translators are unable to find adequate synonyms, it will be possible to use the same word in translation.

The structure of this verse has been modified by Good News Translation, making the statement about Mephibosheth’s lameness into a relative clause, but this may not be necessary in other languages. Naturalness in the receptor language will determine the kind of structure that should be used.

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 .

After this: this represents the same transition expression found at the beginning of chapters 2, 8, and 15, as well as at 21.18 and 1 Sam 24.5, where it is rendered “and afterward” in Revised Standard Version. In Hebrew it includes a form of the verb “to be” and introduces a very different subject as compared with the previous chapter. The passage of a significant amount of time is indicated in a number of modern versions: “In the course of time” (New International Version); “Some time afterward” (New Revised Standard Version).

The king of the Ammonites: the king who had died is not named in the Hebrew text of this verse. However, the name Nahash is given in verse 2 (see 1 Sam 11.1-2, where “Nahash” is first mentioned as an enemy of Israel, as also in 1 Sam 12.12; in 2 Sam 17.25 “Nahash” is a woman’s name). For the sake of clarity this has been shifted forward to verse 1 in Good News Translation, and many other languages should probably do the same thing, especially since Nahash’s son is specifically named here.

The words translated Ammonites are literally “the sons of Ammon,” but the expression clearly refers to a tribal group consisting of those who descended from a man named Ammon.

Reigned in his stead: although this is the only time this expression is used in 1 and 2 Samuel, it is commonly used in other parts of the Old Testament to describe the orderly progression from one king to the next. The expression is found in Gen 36.33-39 and very frequently in 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. In some languages there will be a special term for the succession of a chief. In others it will be necessary to use a more general expression such as “took his place,” “began to rule from his throne,” or “followed him as king.”

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 .

And: the conjunction here simply indicates the continuation of the story and may be left untranslated in many languages.

Said: as in 9.1, there is no indication in the text as to whether this was something David said to himself or to another person. Here Anchor Bible takes it as a thought. But in those languages that require an object for such verbs, it may be best to add “to those around him” or “to some people.” Some versions, such as Bible en français courant, say “David said to himself.” But even if this began as a thought, David must have eventually spoken it to others.

Deal loyally with … dealt loyally with: these expressions involve the same key Hebrew term as already seen in 2.5-6; 3.8; 7.15; 9.1, 3, 7; as well as in 1 Sam 15.6; 20.8, 14, 15. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh again uses the expression “keep faith with.”

So: it was as a result of David’s thought about the kindness shown to him by Nahash that he took the action that follows. The transition word should show this logical relationship. Some languages may even use something like “therefore” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant).

Servants: this term has been variously rendered as “envoys” (New Revised Standard Version), “a delegation” (New International Version), “representatives” (New Jerusalem Bible), “courtiers” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “a mission” (Revised English Bible), and “officers” (New Century Version). A literal translation would be misleading in most cases. These representatives, sent to communicate the condolences of one king to another, were not lowly household servants.

Note how the structure of the last part of this verse has been altered by Good News Translation. It begins a new paragraph with a temporal clause introducing the events described in verse 3. Revised English Bible and New Revised Standard Version adopt a very similar structure. This may prove to be a helpful model for some other languages.

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 .

But: since the reaction of the Ammonite leaders is contrary to what is expected, the Hebrew conjunction may be translated in this way. But this will depend to some extent on the structuring of the end of verse 2.

Princes: these were not sons of a king, as in English. Other versions have rendered it “officials” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “nobles” (New International Version), and “important men” (New Century Version). They may also have been military commanders (see discussion of this word at 1 Sam 8.12).

Their lord: this has the same root as the word that is sometimes used for God, but is also commonly used as a term of respect for people who rule others. Some languages may translate “their chief” or “their master.”

Is honoring your father: literally “is honoring your father in your eyes.” By qualifying the verb honoring with the word “really,” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh emphasizes their doubt that David is sincere. New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible give the same effect by attaching “really” to the verb think earlier in the verse.

The city, that is, the capital city of the Ammonites, Rabbah (see 11.1; 12.26; also the comments on 1 Sam 11.1). In order to make the reference clearer, Contemporary English Version has the Ammonite officials say “our city.”

The purpose of the two questions asked by the Ammonite leaders is to cause hostility and destroy confidence between David and Hanun. The implication, of course, is that David is deceitful, and that he actually wants to conquer Hanun’s kingdom. In some languages it will be more natural to make these statements directly rather than by implication in the form of questions. It is possible, for example, to say something like:

• David is not sending comforters to you because he wants to honor your father. He is just sending them to look at the city so that he can take it over.

Or another possible model is:

• David is sending people only to pretend to show his sorrow, not because he really cared about your father. He only wants to see where our weak points are so that he can defeat us and make us his subjects.

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 .

So: Hanun’s action is a result of what his advisors had said to him. The logical connector in many languages will make this clear. But in some cases the common Hebrew conjunction will be better left untranslated.

Took: in this context some languages may require a more forceful verb here. Several English versions use the verb “seized” as in Good News Translation (see New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and New International Version).

Shaved off half the beard: the ancient Greek version does not include the word half, and some scholars think that it is out of place in the Hebrew text here. This is why Anchor Bible and Anderson translate simply “shaved off their beards.” But Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament do not even mention this possibility. However, the parallel in 1 Chr 19.4 does not have the word “half.” Yet most modern translations follow the Hebrew text here and include this word. This is generally understood to mean one side of the face rather than half the length of the beard. The shaving of a man’s beard was sometimes done as a sign of mourning (Isa 15.2 and Jer 41.5). Perhaps these men’s faces were half shaved by Hanun to show that he thought they were insincere mourners. Whatever the reason, the shaving of their beards was certainly considered an insult (see also Isa 50.6).

Cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips: this action further humiliated David’s messengers by exposing their private parts (compare Isa 20.4). Two possible models for this part of the verse are “cut the bottoms of their robes off, leaving them exposed from the waist down” or “cut off the skirts of their clothes right up to the buttocks” (Knox, Osty-Trinquet).

New Century Version makes explicit that these two actions were performed “to shame them” and “to insult them.” But in many languages this will probably be understood without being stated explicitly.

Sent them away: here again, the context may require a more forceful verb in some languages. One of the following verbs may help translators to find the appropriate equivalent in their own language: “dismissed,” “ejected,” “ousted,” “evicted,” “drove out,” “chased away.”

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 .

When it was told David: this passive construction may be easily transformed to an active one by saying something like “When David heard it” or “When someone told David.” As indicated in Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, some manuscripts state what David was told. The ancient Greek version and one manuscript from Qumran as well as the parallel in 1 Chr 19.5 add “about the men.” Although Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, it will be necessary in some languages to follow the Septuagint for translation reasons.

He sent to meet them: many languages will require an object such as “messengers” (New Century Version), “other messengers” (Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), or “a message” after the verb sent.

Good News Translation restructures the first part of this verse, transposing to the beginning of this verse the clause related to the feeling of shame of the men who had gone to Hanun. This may be a good idea for certain other languages.

The direct quotation in the last part of the verse may need to be made indirect in some languages in order to make it sound more natural. If this is necessary, the Good News Translation model will be a good one to follow. Also the idea Remain … until … may be said negatively as Good News Translation has done.

Jericho … and then return: Jericho was on the return route from Rabbah to Jerusalem. By the time the messengers had reached Jericho, they had already made most of the return trip home. One may say “Remain at Jericho … and then complete your return to Jerusalem.” Since Jericho has not been mentioned earlier in 1 or 2 Samuel, it may be helpful to add the qualifier “the city of” as in Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje. It may also be helpful to make explicit that Jerusalem is the final destination: “Then come back to Jerusalem” (New Century Version). Another way of communicating this idea may be to say, with Contemporary English Version, “Then you can come home.”

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 .

Four Syrian cities located to the north and east of Palestine are mentioned in this verse. Beth-rehob was located north of Mount Hermon, and Zobah (see 8.3) was north of Bethrehob. Tob was located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Ramoth-gilead in the region of Gilead. Maacah was a small Syrian kingdom east of the Jordan River and south of Mount Hermon. The translations in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation may incorrectly suggest that only the soldiers from Bethrehob and Zobah were Syrians. Some translators may wish to indicate in a footnote or possibly in translation that all four of the geographical names (Maacah and Tob as well as the first two) refer to places in Syria.

Saw: this is not to be taken literally as referring to physical seeing, but rather that they became aware of something. A number of English versions in addition to Good News Translation use the verb “realized” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version). New American Bible says “in view of the offense they had given to David….”

Become odious: the root of the word translated odious has to do with emitting an unpleasant aroma or smelling bad. New International Version reflects this by translating “had become a stench in David’s nostrils.” But here the expression is used figuratively for being offensive. As in 1 Sam 13.4, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “incurred the wrath of.”

The structure of this verse has been slightly modified by Good News Translation to make it flow more naturally in English. Also, while the noun the Ammonites is found twice in the base text, the second occurrence will be better translated by the third person plural pronoun in many languages. The double occurrence of Syrians may also be reduced in the receptor language for the sake of naturalness.

Sent and hired: New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh supplies what seems to be missing in this expression, “sent agents and hired….” Something similar to this will have to be done in many other languages.

Syrians: reference is made to the Syrians thirteen times in this chapter. Many English versions prefer the transliterated name “Aramean” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Bible, New Century Version). See the comments at 8.5 and 6.

With a thousand men: this is omitted by Anderson, but this omission is not justified on the grounds of the textual evidence, according to most textual experts.

Men of Tob: literally “a man of Tob.” In the Dead Sea Scrolls and the ancient Greek translation, the words translated men of Tob are taken as a name “Ishtob” or “Istob” (Knox). But most modern versions adopt the same idea as found in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, understanding this to refer to the place mentioned in Judges 11.3-5.

In some translations it may be helpful to use a special format for this verse in order to make the meaning clear. The following is suggested:

• The Ammonites came to know that they had made David very angry, so they prepared for war by hiring the following groups of soldiers.

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 .

Sent Joab …: the verb clearly implies that Joab and the Israelite army were sent to fight the Ammonites. This is why Good News Translation adds “against them.”

And all the host of the mighty men: or more literally “and all the army, the mighty men.” Usually the expression the mighty men suggests a special group of well-trained men or professional soldiers, while all the host refers to the entire fighting force of Israel. But here the two appear to be in apposition. Perhaps the two expressions are best understood as in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “the whole army—[including] the professional fighters.” But the brackets are not recommended. New Revised Standard Version has the same essential meaning: “all the army with the warriors.” However, when one says “the entire army,” the special forces are included.

Some translators may wish to restructure this brief verse to say:

• When David heard what the Ammonites were doing, he sent the whole army of Israel, with its special forces, with Joab at its head, to fight them.

Or:

• … despatched all the Israelite soldiers including its special forces and their commander, Joab.

Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “commanded by Joab.”

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 .