The Hebrew text identifies Jonathan as Saul’s son twice in this verse. In English style it is unnatural to repeat such information, so the second time this has been omitted by Good News Translation.

Servants: in this context the reference is almost certainly to members of Saul’s court and not to domestic servants. On the meanings and translation of this word, see the comments on 8.14.

That they should kill David: literally “to kill David.” That is, the verb form in Hebrew is an infinitive with no explicit agent. The agent may be Jonathan and Saul’s officials (so Revised English Bible “Saul incited Jonathan his son and all his household to kill David,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh “Saul urged his son Jonathan and all his courtiers to kill David”). This seems the most natural reading of the Hebrew.

Two other interpretations are also possible: (1) the king himself planned to kill David (so Good News Translation), or (2) the king planned to have David killed by some unnamed person or persons (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “Saul spoke to his son Jonathan and to all his servants about his plan to have David killed,” and apparently New Revised Standard Version “Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David”). The second of these two interpretations finds support in 18.17 and 21.

But: the transition word is important here, since it sets the stage for Jonathan’s future actions, which are contrary to the will of his father.

For some unknown reason Revised English Bible begins verse 2 at this point. But translators are advised not to follow Revised English Bible in this matter.

Delighted much in David: compare the similar thought of 18.1 and 20.17, where it is said that Jonathan “loved” David. The same verb appears in 18.22, where Revised Standard Version says that Saul “has delight” in David. This verb expresses the idea of deep affection. In texts such as Est 2.14, which treat the relationship between a man and a woman, this verb has sexual connotations. In these passages that speak of the “delight” that Saul and Jonathan have for David, translators should avoid terms with strong sexual or erotic overtones.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And Jonathan told David: literally “And Jonathan told David, saying.” Good News Translation, following good English style, does not repeat proper nouns from the previous verse but uses pronouns instead. Other versions use verbs like “warned” (New International Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible) and “informed” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), since the context clearly indicates that this was more than a casual conversation.

Therefore: the fact that Saul was looking for a way to kill David is logically linked by the word therefore to what Jonathan advises David to do. This connection is left implicit by Good News Translation, but in many languages it will be quite natural to include a word like “so” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Take heed to yourself: the wording of Revised Standard Version sounds a bit stilted, but translators should look for the most natural way of telling a person to “look out” or “pay attention” when they are in danger. New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible are better with “be on guard,” and Revised English Bible is quite similar. Revised Standard Version does not translate the Hebrew particle of entreaty following the verb here. But it is reflected in New American Bible, “please be on your guard.” Fox similarly says “pray take-care.” See the comments on this particle in 2.36.

In the morning: this is not a warning about mornings in general but rather specifically about the morning of the next day. For this reason some versions say “tomorrow morning” (New International Version).

Stay in a secret place and hide yourself: these two imperatives are reversed by Good News Translation, since it is more logical to speak of hiding in a place before speaking of staying hidden there. Some translators may find it more natural to use a single verb phrase to translate these two imperatives: “stay hidden in a secret place.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The first person singular pronoun I is emphatic at the beginning of this verse and again in the expression I will speak …. When translating into languages that have emphatic personal pronouns, it may be appropriate to use them in this context.

Beside my father: literally “at the hand of my father.” Together with the preceding verb, this has been rendered “join my father” (Revised English Bible) and “keep my father company” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Field: the Hebrew noun may refer to a plot of land where crops are grown, that is, “the field” (New Revised Standard Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or it may refer more generally to “the open country” (Revised English Bible). New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible translate “the countryside.” The important thing about this field is that it was to be the one in the general area where David was hiding.

If I learn anything: this does not refer to general knowledge that will be passed on to David. Rather Jonathan implies that he will be listening to what his father says, to try to learn of any new developments in the plot to kill David. Some languages may require translators to say something like “if I find out anything about the plot.”

I will tell you: more literally “I will cause to be conspicuous [or, apparent] to you.” In certain languages this will be more naturally expressed as “I will inform you.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The text does not say so, but in light of verse 3, the events described in this and the following verses take place the next morning following Jonathan’s warning to David. In order to make this clear, some translators may have to make the implied information explicit by beginning this verse “The next morning,” as in Contemporary English Version.

As in verse 2, the Hebrew identifies Saul as Jonathan’s father. In accordance with natural English style, Good News Translation says simply “to Saul.”

Jonathan begins to address his father in the third person (Let not the king) and then changes to the second person (you). In most languages this will be more naturally rendered “Please, your Majesty, do not….” See “indirect reference” on page 12 and following.

The verbal expression sin against occurs twice in this verse, and in both cases it refers to doing something to harm another person.

His servant will become “your servant” if direct address is used as recommended above.

The conjunction because occurs twice in the last part of this verse. In both cases the word introduces reasons why Saul should not act against David. But the two reasons are essentially one, since the first is stated negatively and the second positively.

His deeds have been of good service to you is a rather awkward way of saying “[he] has helped you very much by his deeds” (New American Bible). The deeds, or “achievements” (Revised English Bible), are probably a reference to David’s exploits in battle. The following verse makes this clearer.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

For: the Hebrew has only the common conjunction here, but it is clearly intended to connect what follows with the statement about David’s achievements. Many modern English versions, however, leave this untranslated.

He took his life in his hand: literally “he put his life [or soul, or being] in his palm.” This Hebrew idiom means that he risked his life (see 28.21; Judges 12.3). Life translates the Hebrew noun nefesh. In other languages this idea is expressed by a variety of ways, including “he did not think about his life” and “he refused his own safety.”

The Philistine refers to Goliath (see 17.48-51). In languages that lack definite articles, it will be necessary to use a demonstrative adjective like “that Philistine” or to resort to the proper noun, “Goliath,” as Good News Translation has done. New Century Version uses the name in addition to the more general reference, “Goliath the Philistine.”

Sin against: as in the previous verse, this means simply “to do wrong to,” although the wrong involved is murder.

Innocent blood: this common Hebrew idiom refers to the death of an innocent person (see Deut 10.10; 21.8; 2 Kgs 21.16; Psa 106.38; Matt 27.4). In most cases it will not sound natural or be immediately understandable if this is translated literally. In some languages it will be more natural to speak of “a person who has done nothing wrong,” or in this context, “one who has not offended you.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Hearkened to the voice of Jonathan: a literal translation of this Hebrew idiom may not express the meaning clearly in many receptor languages. Hearkened to means to accept and act according to what was said, and the voice of refers to the statement that someone made. Though New Revised Standard Version does not retain the archaic verb hearkened, it remains rather literal: “heeded the voice of Jonathan.” Compare “heeded Jonathan’s plea” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, and Revised English Bible); “allowed himself to be convinced by Jonathan’s proposal” (Bible en français courant); “agreed” (Contemporary English Version).

That Saul swore does not mean that he cursed or used offensive language, but rather that he “made a vow.” Some other ways of saying this are “took this oath” (New International Version) and “made this promise” (New Century Version). Good News Translation does not maintain the actual words of the vow but rather restructures and uses an indirect quotation. This model may prove useful in other languages.

As the LORD lives: see the comments on 14.39. Fox gives a literal translation of the Hebrew: “As YHWH lives if he should be put-to-death!” but such a translation fails to express the correct meaning in English (see also comments on 14.45).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The Hebrew text does not say so directly, but certainly we are to assume that Saul is no longer present when verse 7 begins. Compare, however, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which says “Then Jonathan ran to look for David.” Other languages may need to begin this verse with a word showing that a certain amount of time elapsed before Jonathan calls for David. For example, some may say “Later…” or at least begin a new paragraph at this point.

The verb showed is better rendered “told” or “informed” in this context. It translates the same verb as I will tell you in verse 3. So Jonathan is fulfilling his promise.

And he was … as before: this sentence begins in Hebrew with the interjection “and behold” (regarding the meaning and translation, see page 18 and following).

As before: literally “as yesterday and the day-before-yesterday” (see the comment on “before that time” in 14.21). The statement that David was in Saul’s presence as before means that he was serving Saul again in the royal court as in 16.21-23.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The Hebrew text begins by stating that there was war again and identifies the enemy nation only when telling whom David fought. Good News Translation restructures to tell at the beginning that the war was against the Philistines.

The Hebrew does not mention any troops, stating only that David fought the Philistines and defeated them. Elsewhere the writer of 1 Samuel refers to Saul (13.4; 14.47-48; 15.20), Jonathan (13.3) or David (23.5b; 30.17) alone when the reference is certainly to the entire army that they command. It is therefore reasonable to say “David and his army” in this context.

Made a great slaughter: see the comments at 4.10, and compare also 6.19.

So that they fled before him: the defeat of the Philistines was so disastrous that it caused them to run away in complete disorder.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .