Then: the common conjunction here simply indicates the continuation of the story as Hushai responds. It may be better left untranslated in some languages.

Said: in this context the verb here may be more naturally rendered “answered” (Good News Translation) in many languages.

This time: by using these words Hushai acknowledges what everybody knew already, namely that Ahithophel almost always gave good advice. It is a way of making a contrast between what usually happened and Hushai’s evaluation of what Ahithophel had said in this case. The placement of this element at the beginning of the sentence (Revised Standard Version and Contemporary English Version) seems to emphasize it as an exception to the rule. Many versions place it at the end of the sentence (New International Version, New Century Version), reflecting the word order of the Hebrew. Translators should consider which way is more likely to focus attention on the unusual in their own languages. Certain other versions also place this element at the beginning but translate using other words: “for once…” (Revised English Bible) and “on this occasion…” (New Jerusalem 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 .

Hushai said moreover: literally “and Hushai said.” Revised Standard Version adds the word moreover to indicate that Hushai continues his answer. Compare also “Hushai continued” (New Revised Standard Version) and “ ‘You know,’ he went on, ‘that…’ ” (Revised English Bible). These words interrupt the discourse of Hushai and may be considered unnecessary or even distracting in certain languages. If this is the case they may be omitted, since they add nothing to the meaning of the text. In languages where this is done, Hushai’s speech will begin in the middle of verse 7 and continue to the end of verse 13.

The next two clauses are rarely translated literally. In Hebrew the third person masculine plural pronoun comes at the end of each clause: “mighty men, they; and bitter of soul, they.” The following translations attempt to capture the rhetorical character of the Hebrew: “They are warriors, yes they are; and they are enraged, yes they are,” or “They are warriors, they are; and they are enraged, they are.”

Mighty men: see the comments on this term at 10.7 and 16.6. In this context this is a description of the fighting ability of the men who were with David.

They are enraged: literally “bitter of soul” (compare Fox, “bitter of feelings”). This same idiom is used of Hannah in 1 Sam 1.10, where Revised Standard Version translates “she was deeply distressed.” It occurs again in 1 Sam 22.2, where Revised Standard Version translates it “discontented.” This idiom may indicate a wide range of emotions, including “sadness,” “hopelessness,” and “anger.” Because David had been deprived of what his fighting men considered his rightful place, they were “furious” (Anderson), “angry” (New Jerusalem Bible), “thoroughly aroused” (An American Translation), or “desperate” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Hushai goes on to compare these soldiers, saying that they are like a bear robbed of her cubs (literally “like a bear bereaved”). This comparison will be problematic in languages where bears are unknown. To use a borrowed term will unnecessarily distract the reader, and to substitute the name of another animal may present other problems. In many languages the best solution will be to use a more general expression such as “like a large, fierce animal whose children have been taken away.” Of course, in those languages that have problems with the passive form, a restructuring will also be necessary: “like a big mean animal when someone has taken away her young ones.” The adjective translated robbed means “bereaved,” and for this reason, presumably, Contemporary English Version indicates that the cubs “have just been killed.” It may be best, however, to say something more in line with Osty-Trinquet and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, “like a bear whose young ones someone has seized,” without stating that they have been killed.

In the field: this detail is really irrelevant to the main point and may be left implicit if it distracts from the argument given. One manuscript of the Septuagint has the additional words “and a wild boar of the plain,” and Anchor Bible includes these additional words, claiming that they were accidentally omitted from the Masoretic Text. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, does not even consider this textual problem, and most modern translations do not include the additional element.

Besides: this is a translation of the common Hebrew conjunction, but here it introduces a second reason why the advice of Ahithophel was not sound. Some translate it “moreover” (New American Bible and Anderson), but in certain languages “also” will be quite adequate.

Expert in war: literally, “a man of war” (King James Version). David had a great deal of experience in fighting battles, and Hushai was trying to emphasize this fact in order to discourage Absalom from following the advice of Ahithophel. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “an experienced soldier,” while Knox has simply “a fighting man.”

Spend the night: the verb usually translated in this way in English may be rendered in other languages as “pass the night,” “lodge,” or simply “sleep.” New Century Version has “stay all night.”

With the people: that is, with the rest of the army. Some may prefer to translate “with the other 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 .

Behold: the Hebrew focusing particle reflected by this translation is left out in certain English versions, including New Revised Standard Version and New International Version. But in those languages which have a natural equivalent that directs particular attention to what follows, this should be used here.

One of the pits: as indicated in most English versions (including New International Version and New American Bible), this may refer to one of the many caves to be found in the area. It is true that the word used here is not the usual one for “cave,” which is found in 23.13 and 1 Sam 13.6, but in many languages the same word will be used for “pit,” “hole,” and “cave.” The Hebrew word used here normally refers to a hole that goes down into the ground and not a hole that goes back into the wall of a mountain or side of a hill.

When some of the people fall: literally “and there will be as a falling upon them,” that is, when some soldiers die. It should be made clear in translation that what is involved here is the death of fighting men. A literal translation will risk making this obscure. Further, it should be clear whose soldiers are “falling.” Compare Moffatt, “When he attacks your troops and some of them fall at the first onset….” Since Hushai is speaking as if he were part of Absalom’s people, translators may also say “If at the beginning some of our troops fall….”

The direct quotation at the end of this verse may be made indirect in those languages where this will sound more natural. Since it is found within the larger direct quotation, it may be quite awkward if translated literally and directly. A possible option is to translate as in Good News Translation, or “whoever hears it will say that David has devastated your followers.”

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 .

Even the valiant man: literally “a son of valor [or, bravery],” as also in 1 Sam 14.52. While the singular is used in the text, the meaning is clearly plural and should be so translated in very many languages. At the end of this verse, one finds this expression again, but in the plural, “sons of valor.”

Whose heart is like the heart of a lion: lions were thought to be very strong (1.23) and without fear. In the story of David’s encounter with Goliath (1 Sam 17), there are references to his courage in facing lions when he was taking care of his father’s sheep. The expression here refers to the courage of brave soldiers in general. It may be translated with or without reference to heart or lion. Some possible models are “who are like lions because they lack fear,” “who have strong hearts and do not know fear,” or simply “who have no fear at all.”

Will utterly melt with fear: the image of melting, which is also used figuratively of mountains in the Old Testament (Psa 97.5; Micah 1.4), may be completely misunderstood if translated literally in some languages. Used of soldiers it will be better to use a verb such as “to become weak.” The Hebrew construction is “to melt, they will melt” (or, “to become weak, they will become weak”). The meaning is that these courageous fighters will be so afraid that they will lose their courage. Some ways of expressing this are “will be shaken” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “will be demoralized” (New Jerusalem Bible), “will be overcome with sudden fear” (Knox), or in some cases “their strong hearts will become weak because they are afraid.”

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 does not represent the common Hebrew conjunction but rather a different transition word that usually means “because” or “that.” In this context Revised Standard Version seems to take it as marking the contrast between Hushai’s advice and that of Ahithophel. But in some languages this may be the wrong place for it, since it comes in the middle of Hushai’s discourse. If this is the case this conjunction need not be translated. Others prefer to understand it as a logical connector, based on the suppositions presented in the previous verse. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New International Version, for example, translate it “So….” Similarly Traduction œcuménique de la Bible uses a word meaning “Therefore.” This kind of connecting word seems preferable.

That all Israel be gathered to you: this passive expression will have to be transformed into an active one in some languages. This may be done by saying something like “that you assemble all the people of Israel in your presence” or “that you command all the Israelites to come together before you….”

From Dan to Beer-sheba: as in 3.10 and 1 Sam 3.20, this expression is used to refer to the whole of the land of Israel. The phrase also occurs in 2 Sam 24.2, 15; Judges 20.1. Some translators may prefer to translate the meaning of the expression without reference to the place names, as Good News Translation has done. Or it is also possible to retain the place names and add information that will bring out the meaning. For example, it is possible to say “from Dan in the northernmost part of the country to Beersheba in the south” or something similar.

As the sand by the sea for multitude: the size of the force proposed by Hushai contrasts with the smaller group of twelve thousand that Ahithophel had advised in verse 2. The larger group is compared to the grains of sand on the seashore. If this comparison is not meaningful to readers of the proposed translation, a more general statement may be made. Some may say “an extremely great multitude that cannot be counted” or something similar.

To battle in person: literally “and your presence [or, faces] leading into battle.” The ancient Greek version has “among them” or “with them” in place of “into battle.” New Jerusalem Bible combines the readings of the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, “and you take the field in person with them.” Certain other versions also follow the Septuagint. However, there seems to be no convincing reason for not following the traditional Hebrew text at this point.

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: the common conjunction does not necessarily have to be translated here. It simply connects the next step in Hushai’s proposal with the previous statement.

Come upon him: this is the same verb as in verse 2. Here it may mean “manage to find him” or “attack him” (New International Version). Good News Translation uses the name “David” in place of the pronoun “him” found in the Hebrew, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “your father.”

In some place where he is to be found: this rather awkward-sounding expression means simply “in whatever place he may be” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or more simply “wherever he is” (Good News Translation).

Light upon him: the verb is supplied by Revised Standard Version, since there is none in the Hebrew at this point. The text says literally “and we upon him….” But what is to be understood is the same verb that is used in the figurative expression that follows, falls on. Where possible it will be good to find a verb that can be used in both cases, but in many languages this may not be practical. It may be necessary to use a verb like “attack” here. The exact meaning of the image as the dew falls on the ground is uncertain. What is the basis of comparison between the troops attacking David’s troops and dew falling on the ground? Is it suddenness, as Good News Translation seems to imply? Or is it the idea of total coverage as suggested by Contemporary English Version (and similarly Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), “just as dew falls and covers the ground”? Most English versions leave the answer to the imagination of the reader, but the interpretation of Contemporary English Version seems more likely—especially in the light of the statement that follows. This last statement suggests total annihilation, which is again in sharp contrast with what Ahithophel had proposed.

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 .

If he withdraws into a city: the significance of retreating into a city is that cities were distinguished from villages by the fact that they were surrounded by fortifications. For this reason Contemporary English Version translates “a walled town.” In some languages this may be translated “if he goes inside the walls of a city….”

We shall drag it into the valley: while it was not an easy task, one way to defeat an army protected within a city was to destroy its walls as in the story of Jericho (Josh 6.20). On some occasions ropes were used to throw large hooks up to attach to the walls so that they could be pulled down. The image provided by Hushai is an exaggerated one, but he tries to give the impression of total defeat to the point that the city walls are dragged down into the surrounding valley.

Pebble: the most frequent meaning of the noun so translated in Revised Standard Version is “bundle” or “bag.” But it is also used for a kernel of grain and for a small stone. In this context it is a part of the exaggeration used by Hushai to convince Absalom of the wisdom of his proposal. In languages where it is essential to specify the size of stones, it is unnecessary to focus on its smallness. Adequate translations are “a piece of it” (New International Version) or simply “a stone” (Revised English 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 .

All the men of Israel: that is, all the Israelites who were present at the time.

In some languages the whole direct quotation will be better rendered indirectly. It is possible to say, for example, “Absalom and all the men of Israel with him agreed that the advice of Hushai was better than the advice of Ahithophel.” If the words of Absalom are kept as a direct quotation, it should be made clear, if possible, that the second part of this verse is the writer’s explanation to the reader and not the words of Absalom. This may be especially problematic in languages that have no written or spoken marker for the end of a quotation.

The counsel of Hushai … is better than the counsel of Ahithophel: Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “Hushai’s right! His advice is better!” In certain languages it may be necessary to say something like “the words of Hushai … please us more than the words of Ahithophel.”

For: this introduces the writer’s explanation of why the people accepted Hushai’s advice instead of that of Ahithophel. This kind of transition marker may be translated in some languages as in Contemporary English Version, by beginning the sentence “This was because….”

The repetition of the LORD in this verse may be considered stylistically unnatural in some languages. If this is the case, it is acceptable to translate the second occurrence by the third person singular pronoun.

Ordained: the verb used here is elsewhere translated “command” (4.12 and 5.25) or “appoint” (6.21). Here it indicates Yahweh’s firm resolution to ensure that Absalom would be defeated. Some translations are “decided” (Contemporary English Version as well as Good News Translation), “planned” (New Century Version), “resolved” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “it was [the LORD’s] purpose….”

Bring evil: the idea here is not that of moral wrong but rather “bring disaster” (Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible), “bring … to ruin” (New American Bible), or “cause trouble” (Contemporary English Version).

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 .