All these things: this, of course, refers to what had happened between Tamar and Amnon. In some languages this will have to be made clearer in translation. Some possible ways to do this will be to say “what Amnon had done to Tamar” or “how Amnon had violated Tamar.”

He was very angry: literally “he burned very much.” Compare the similar idiom in 3.8; 12.5; and 1 Sam 18.8.

Some manuscript evidence indicates that the original may have added the following words at the end of this verse: “But he did not grieve his son Amnon’s spirit because he loved him, since he was his firstborn.” This is recommended by Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, which gives it an {A} rating, and is followed by New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Osty-Trinquet, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, and Bible en français courant. Probably a scribe accidentally jumped over part of this verse while copying it. The same idea is translated in Contemporary English Version as “But Amnon was his oldest son and also his favorite, and David would not do anything to make Amnon unhappy.” Although these words are not found in either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation, translators are advised to include this idea in their rendering of this verse. That Amnon was the firstborn means that he was the first in line to become king when David died.

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: this reflects the common Hebrew conjunction, which does not necessarily imply contrast. What is presented in the following sentence is simply an additional fact that is a part of the story.

Good News Translation radically alters the order of the different elements in this verse. Translators should consider what kind of word order will be most natural in their own language.

Spoke … neither good nor bad: the translation of Contemporary English Version, “treated Amnon as though nothing had happened,” takes this expression to mean that Absalom said nothing about this matter to Amnon, but most versions understand it to mean that he said nothing at all to his half brother. That is, he was so angry with him that he would not talk to him about anything. This seems to be the more likely meaning of the text.

Forced: see the comments on this same verb in verses 12 and 14.

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 .

Came to the king: the presumed point of view of the writer as well as receptor language practices will determine whether the verb “came” or “went” is used in translation. Note also that In some languages it may be important to specify which king is being talked about. Good News Translation makes it clear that it is “King David.”

Behold: this particle is left untranslated by the majority of modern English versions. It serves merely to focus attention on what is about to be said. But if a similar device exists in the receptor language, it should be used here. The Hebrew also contains a particle of entreaty, which neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation translate. This may be rendered “Look, I pray,” or “Please hear what I have to say.”

Even though David was his father, in his presence Absalom twice uses the polite third person reference to himself as your servant. But this will be very unnatural in many languages. Translators should look for natural expressions of courtesy and esteem in their own languages to try to convey the same respect. Good News Translation attempts to do this by using the English expression “Your Majesty,” but other languages may have very different means of doing this. And in most cases normal first person pronouns will be used for self reference.

On the other hand, the words his servants refers to the officials of King David, and since Absalom is speaking directly to the king, this will be rendered “your officials” in most cases.

The notion that there would be a celebration must be made clear in many languages, since it will not be understood as it was by the original readers and hearers.

Pray let the king …: on this request formula, see the comments on verses 6 and 13 above.

Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente may provide a helpful model for some languages:

• He went to the king and said to him, “I am having a festival for the shearing of sheep. I will be honored to have the king and his court with me.”

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: 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 .

Then: since it is somewhat contrary to expectation that Absalom continues his insistence after having heard the king’s blessing, some versions use the conjunction “But” here. Others may say something like “Nevertheless” or “However.”

If not: that is, “If you and all the others will not come to the festivities.”

Pray let my brother Amnon go: see the comments on verse 6, where the same sort of request formula is used. Compare also verses 13 and 24 above.

Why should he go with you? The pronoun you is singular in Hebrew. Presumably King David was aware that Absalom was not on good terms with his half brother. This explains his surprise at Absalom’s request. In some languages this question may be translated by a statement like “I can see no reason why he should go with you.”

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: instead of answering the question, Absalom continues to insist (see verse 25 on pressed; the same correction of the Hebrew verb is necessary here also). For this reason, a conjunction indication something contrary to expectation is required here.

Let … go: literally “sent” (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

All the king’s sons: since Amnon was a son of David, it will be better to follow the Good News Translation model and say “all his other sons.” Revised English Bible and New American Bible say “and all the other princes.” If the receptor language has a special term for referring to the sons of a king, that term may be used here.

Some ancient manuscripts have an additional sentence here that is not found in Revised Standard Version. The Septuagint adds “And Absalom made a banquet according to the banquet of a king.” This is reflected in Good News Translation, “Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king.” New Jerusalem Bible says “Absalom prepared a royal banquet.” These words were accidentally omitted by a scribe. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends this longer reading, giving it an {A} rating, as do the commentaries of Anderson and Anchor Bible. It is also adopted by many translations (for example, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Nueva Biblia Española, and Contemporary English Version). Revised English Bible includes these words at the beginning of verse 28 rather than at the end of 27.

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: marking the next in the series of events. The transition word used here will be determined in some measure by the decision about the textual question at the end of the previous verse.

Commanded: literally “commanded saying.”

Mark: the verb used here really means “look,” “observe,” or “perceive” and is followed in Hebrew by the common particle of entreaty, which neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation translate. He is asking that his servants pay special attention to the state of Amnon so that action can be taken at the proper time. Other versions translate “watch” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “watch your chance” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible, on the other hand, takes this as meaning “Listen carefully!” and New International Version translates similarly. But this is not advised.

When Amnon’s heart is merry with wine: while the Hebrew uses the expression involving merriment of the heart, other languages will have very different ways of describing the effects of too much wine. Some may say more directly “when he becomes a little bit drunk,” while others may have more picturesque ways of saying the same thing: “when his head begins to turn,” “when the wine makes him sing,” or “when the wine causes him to start to doze.” Compare Ruth 3.7, where the same Hebrew idiom occurs.

When I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon’: while this includes a direct quotation of what Absalom plans to say in the future, it should probably be made indirect in many languages. Translators may say “when I command you, kill him,” or “when I instruct you to do it, take his life.”

Have I not commanded you? This question has the effect of telling the servants that they will not be held accountable for what they were about to do. They would be simply following orders from their master. But it will be unwise to retain the form of a question in many languages. Rather the meaning can be translated as “for it is I who order you to do it” (New American Bible).

Be courageous and be valiant: this is an additional way of telling the servants not to be afraid. Similar words are used to encourage people in times of political change (see the comments on the same idiom in 2 Sam 2.7).

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 .

So: as a result of Absalom’s plan and instructions to his servants the deed was done. The text does not go into detail about how it happened except to say that it was as Absalom had commanded. It may be helpful to state explicitly as in Good News Translation that they “killed” Amnon.

All the king’s sons: that is, all the remaining sons of David with the exception of Amnon and Absalom. If there is any danger that anything else will be understood, then this may have to be stated clearly. New Century Version, for example, says “all of David’s other sons.”

Mules: a mule is an animal born of a horse and a donkey, usually a female horse and a male donkey. Although the crossbreeding of animals was forbidden in Israel (Lev 19.19), these animals were apparently imported or taken from other peoples at the time of David and later (see Ezek 27.14). compare Psa 32.9, where the terms “horse” and “mule” are mentioned together. Even in areas where horses are known, people may be unfamiliar with mules. And in other languages the same word is used to speak of a horse, a mule, and a donkey. Some may find it necessary to borrow the word and add a classifier term. But since the precise distinction is unimportant here, it is even possible to translate “riding animal” or something similar.

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 .