Now therefore: literally “And now.” But the temporal adverb is sometimes used to make a logical connection. According to the Revised Standard Version rendering it is because of the contempt David showed for the LORD as described in verse 9 that the consequences in verse 10 will take place. New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, and Revised English Bible are all like Revised Standard Version. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh also has the word “therefore.” Similarly New Jerusalem Bible has “For this….” On the other hand, since the cause is specifically given (or repeated) in the words that follow, you have despised me, some versions consider the adverb here as temporal or at least less strongly logical. Good News Translation is among those who do this.

The sword shall never depart from your house: this expression may be easily misunderstood if translated literally. The meaning is that fighting will continue to claim the lives of David’s house, that is, the members of his family who will follow him. This may be rendered “your family will never again have rest from the sword” (Revised English Bible). But, as in the previous verse, the word sword is not intended literally, even though a surprising number of modern translations retain the word. Here it stands for “violent death” (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). It will be better in most languages to say something like “people of your family will continue to be killed in war.”

Because you have despised me: this is a brief statement of the reason that David’s descendants will continue to die in battle. It summarizes what is said in question form in verse 9. The real reason is his contempt for the LORD, an attitude that led to adultery and murder. In light of the textual problem in the previous verse, it is worthy of note that the text here does not read “you have despised my word” but rather “you have despised me.”

Uriah the Hittite: if the repetition of the Hittite is considered awkward in the receptor language, it may be omitted here.

In some languages it will be more natural to reverse the order of the two parts of this verse, giving first the reason why God will punish David’s descendants, and then giving the punishment. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente may provide a helpful model:

• Because you have despised me and have taken as wife the wife of Uriah the Hittite, your family will always be struck by violent death.

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 .

Thus says the LORD: this is a repetition of the prophetic formula used by Nathan at the beginning of his direct message from the LORD (following the parable). It serves as a reminder of the source of the message and the importance of the verdict that follows. It has been translated by Good News Translation as “I swear to you,” but the formula itself may be retained unless it is distracting in the receptor language.

Behold: in Hebrew the particle so translated draws special attention to what is about to be said. If the receptor language has a similar element that can be introduced naturally in this context, it should be used here. If not, this word may have to be left untranslated, as in a number of modern English versions (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Revised Standard Version, as well as Good News Translation).

I will raise up evil against you: the verbal expression used here carries the notion of causing problems. Anchor Bible uses a well-known English idiom, “I am going to stir up trouble for you.” Other versions have renderings like “raise misfortune for you” (New Jerusalem Bible), “bring trouble on you” (Revised English Bible), and “bring calamity upon you” (New International Version).

Out of your own house: as often, the word house is not intended literally. The source of the problems that the LORD will cause for David will be a member of his own family. This refers, of course, to Absalom, who rebelled against his father (15.1-12) and even took his concubines (see 16.21-22).

Before your eyes: while Uriah did not know what was happening between his wife and David, David would be fully aware of all that was going on when his wives were violated. This passage refers several times to the contrast between what was done in secret by David and what the LORD will do openly. The purpose of the repetition of this idea seems to be emphasis. This emphasis should be retained in translation.

Your neighbor: as often in the Old Testament, the word neighbor here does not mean “a person who lives nearby” but more broadly “another person.” In this context it refers to “another man,” as in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh as well as Good News Translation.

He shall lie with your wives: in some languages translators may need to know whether this means that the man slept with the women one at a time or with several women at the same time. Almost certainly these words should not be understood to mean group sex. The idea is rather that of sleeping with different women at different times.

In the sight of this sun: the account of Absalom’s defiant action (16.22) indicates that it was intentionally done “in the sight of all Israel.” A literal translation of the expression here may sound strange. The idiom “in broad daylight” (Good News Translation) captures the idea in English, but other languages will have different ways of expressing this. Some may say simply “in the daytime” or perhaps “for everyone to see.”

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 .

For: this represents a common logical connector in Hebrew that is sometimes translated “Indeed.” It is, however, left untranslated by New International Version, New American Bible, and Revised English Bible as well as by Good News Translation.

You did it: literally “you did” or “you acted.” There is no pronoun “it” in the Hebrew. But the reference is clearly to the sin of David in committing adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband killed in battle. Good News Translation makes this clearer with “you sinned….” New Century Version says “You had sexual relations with Bathsheba in secret.” Others may prefer to say “you did wrong.” New Jerusalem Bible uses the verb “work” (“you have worked in secret”) here and in the contrasting statement about what the LORD will do. The same verb is found in both cases in the original.

You … I: the pronouns are emphatic in Hebrew, and this emphasis should be reflected in the receptor language if possible. The use of emphatic pronouns highlights the contrast between what David did secretly and what the LORD will do before all Israel. Fox shows this emphasis by translating “For you, you did it in secret, but I, I will do this….”

Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation use the conjunction but between the description of David’s secret action and God’s punishment. Another way of showing the strong contrast is “I on the other hand…” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

And before the sun: the preposition differs from that of the similar expression in the previous verse, but it has essentially the same meaning. It gives added emphasis to the fact that what will happen to David’s wives will be publicly seen and known.

A possible model for the verse as a whole:

• As for you, you acted so that no one knew what you did, but I, for my part, will act in this matter in such a way that everyone in Israel will know what I am doing. I will do it in the daytime so that everyone can see.

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 .

Said: in the context of this exchange between David and Nathan, this verb may be better translated “responded” or “answered.” The same is true of the verb as it is used again later in this verse.

I have sinned against the LORD: while this is the first occurrence of the verb “sin” in 2 Samuel, it is found frequently in 1 Samuel. See 1 Sam 2.25, where the distinction is made between sinning against other people and sinning against the LORD. See also 1 Sam 7.6; 12.10, 23; 14.33, 34; 15.24, 30; 19.4, 5; 24.11; and 26.21.

Put away: the verb so translated is found frequently in the Old Testament and has a wide variety of meanings. A root meaning of the verb is “to pass on,” “to cross over,” “to pass by.” The form here is causative, that is, “to cause to pass over [or, by].” Anchor Bible translates it “transferred” and comments that:

• the verb means more than “has put away.” The sin cannot be simply forgotten; it must be atoned for. Thus, if David himself is not to die, the sin must be transferred to someone who will.

If this analysis is true, it means that David’s sin is transferred to the innocent child born of the illicit union between David and Bathsheba. Revised English Bible agrees with this, translating “has laid on another the consequences of your sin.”

However, the same form of the verb occurs in 24.10; Job 7.21; and 1 Chr 21.8; and it is probable that the meanings there are simply “overlook” or “let [guilt] pass by.” Most versions take this verb to mean simply “forgive.” Probably any indication that the sin was transferred to the child should be put in a footnote if it appears at all in a translation.

You shall not die: translators should be careful not to give the impression that this is a promise that David will never die; this means simply that David will not lose his life immediately.

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 .

Nevertheless: the transition word here is unusual but clearly introduces something that is contrary to expectation. In spite of the fact that David is promised that he will not die because of his sin with Bathsheba, their child will be taken from them. A rather strong contrastive conjunction will probably be required in the receptor language. Anderson uses “However.”

You have utterly scorned: literally “to scorn you scorned.” This is a special kind of construction in Hebrew that places two forms of the same verb together for the purpose of emphasis. Fox maintains the emphasis in English by translating “you have scorned, yes, scorned….” While this verb is not the same as that translated despised in verses 9 and 10, it has a very similar meaning. The verb used here is found in 1 Sam 2.17.

The LORD: the Masoretic Text has “the enemies of the LORD” (King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and New International Version). If this is correct, the meaning of the whole clause would have to be “by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt.” Most modern scholars, however, think that the original reading was as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, and that this was changed by later scribes who found it offensive to speak of showing “utter contempt for the LORD” (see the comments on verse 9 above). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends the reading reflected in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, and it is followed by the majority of modern versions. On the idea of blaspheming God, compare 1 Sam 3.13.

The child that is born to you: since the child had already been born (11.27), translators should be careful to reflect this fact in the translation of this phrase. Some may say “the child that has been born to you,” “that child who has just been born to you,” or possibly simply “your child,” if this will be understood as referring back to the one born of the union between David and Bathsheba.

Shall die: some versions read “shall surely die” (New American Standard Bible), reflecting the Hebrew construction used here, in which two forms of the verb are put together for emphasis. This is the same kind of construction as discussed under the expression utterly scorned in this same verse. Here it emphasizes the certainty that the child will not live. New American Bible retains this emphasis by translating “must surely die,” and Fox says “he must die, yes, die.”

In some languages the structure of this verse will have to be reversed, indicating first that the child will die and then giving the reason.

Then: the transition word here indicates nothing more than the next step in a series of events. But this is also the final event in this part of the larger story.

It will be more natural in some languages to say that “Nathan went back home” or “Nathan returned to his house” (New American Bible).

The verse division is unfortunate here, since the second half of this verse is a part of the next episode. See the comments under verse 15b below.

And: if a new section is begun at this point, it will be unnecessary to provide an overt translation of the Hebrew conjunction here. The beginning of a new section and a new paragraph will be sufficient in many languages.

Struck the child: this should not be translated in such a way as to give the idea of a literal, physical blow. What it means is that the LORD made the child very sick. In many languages a single verb phrase may be used to translate this expression and became sick at the end of the verse.

Uriah’s wife: the writer continues to refer to Bathsheba as Uriah’s wife. This seems to have been done intentionally and is probably designed to insist on the fact that at the time of the conception of the child she was indeed still Uriah’s wife. Contemporary English Version refers to the child simply as “David’s young son,” which is, of course, correct, but the emphasis of the original seems to be weakened by such a rendering.

Some languages may say something like:

• The child delivered by the wife of Uriah after David got her pregnant, the LORD caused him to become very sick.

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 .

Then: the transition word here indicates nothing more than the next step in a series of events. But this is also the final event in this part of the larger story.

It will be more natural in some languages to say that “Nathan went back home” or “Nathan returned to his house” (New American Bible).

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 .

The transition word therefore is based on the ordinary Hebrew conjunction that is often legitimately left untranslated, as in New International Version and many others.

Besought God for the child: while the verb here is often translated simply “prayed…” (Good News Translation and New Century Version), it usually carries the idea of seeking something or searching for something or someone. It is used in these ways in 3.17 and 5.17. In this case the idea is probably that of “begging” God (Contemporary English Version) or “pleading” with him (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version).

Fasted: see 1.12, as well as 1 Sam 7.6; 31.13.

Went in: there is no explicit mention of what place David entered. The context, however, makes it reasonably certain that what the writer had in mind was David’s going into the room where he normally slept. It may even be legitimately rendered as “retiring for the night” (New American Bible).

The verb forms used in this verse suggest that the actions of pleading with God, fasting, and lying on the ground were repeated often during the illness of the child. They should therefore probably be translated by habitual verb forms or expressions that convey the idea of repeated or continuous actions.

Both the ancient Greek translation and a manuscript among the Dead Sea Scrolls have the additional words “in sackcloth,” showing that David was mourning even before the death of the child. Although this textual problem is not discussed in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project or Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, the additional words are translated by New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and Revised English Bible. They are therefore worthy of some consideration.

Upon the ground: see also 13.31. Both Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version use the word “floor,” which may give readers a mistaken idea about the nature of Old Testament dwellings. The word really means “earth” (An American Translation) or “ground” (so New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). The ground floor in most houses at that time was made essentially of earth. Yet even Revised Standard Version translates the same word as “floor” in Judges 3.25.

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 .

The elders of his house: some translations give a rather literal rendering, “the elders” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible) or “the older men” (Revised English Bible). But this expression refers to a specific group, that is, to the important officials in the royal household. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh speaks of “the senior servants of his household,” while Moffatt attempts to get at the idea with “sheikhs of his household.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente calls them “his most authoritative servants.” Bible en français courant, on the other hand, takes this to mean “the most respected of his servants.” The basic sense seems to be that these were men of David’s household whom David trusted and who had special authority and influence.

Stood beside him: a slight alteration of the traditional Hebrew text gives a somewhat different meaning: “approached him” (Anchor Bible). This seems to be the basis of the Good News Translation translation as well. This is supported by one manuscript of the ancient Greek version and by one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but it is not mentioned in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project/Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, perhaps because there is no serious difference in meaning between the two readings.

To raise him from the ground: it is unclear whether this means “tried to talk him into getting up” (Contemporary English Version) or “intending to get him off the ground” (New Jerusalem Bible). But several modern versions prefer the idea of “inducing” or “urging” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version) rather than physical action. This seems to fit the context better.

But he would not: that is, he would not allow his officials to help him up. Rather he remained on the ground and refused to eat.

In some languages it will be redundant to say eat food, since the idea of food is already contained in the verb.

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 .