Pray: the particle of entreaty following the verb forgive in the Hebrew of this verse is rightly rendered “Please” by Good News Translation.

If translators have used the same word for “Yahweh” and for “lord” or “master,” there may be confusion for the listener in distinguishing between LORD and lord in this verse. The words my lord refer, of course, to David and may be translated by using second person singular pronouns.

Forgive the trespass of your handmaid: if Abigail’s words in verse 24 requesting that the blame be hers are a standardized way of speaking to one’s superior, then these words in verse 28 may be understood as a request for permission to continue speaking. Once again the third person reference, your handmaid, will be better translated as a first person singular pronoun in many languages.

A sure house: see the same idiom in 2.35. Good News Translation expresses the meaning clearly in English, as does New American Bible: “for the LORD shall certainly establish a lasting dynasty for my lord.”

The expression fighting the battles of the LORD refers to the battles that the Israelites fight against other nations, such as the Philistines (18.17), who are understood to be opposing God when they oppose the Israelites.

And evil shall not be found in you: as the footnote in Good News Translation indicates, these words may be understood two different ways: (1) David will not do anything evil (so Good News Translation) or (2) no one will do anything evil against David. The first interpretation is found in Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Good News Translation, and New Jerusalem Bible. The second interpretation is found in Revised English Bible, which says “No calamity will overtake you as long as you live.”

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 .

It may be better to avoid the word men at the beginning of this verse, since Abigail certainly had people in general in mind. Most modern versions say something like “anyone” or “any person.” But it is possible to speak more specifically of “your enemies” (Contemporary English Version) in this context.

The verb rise up is the same as “arise” in 9.3 and is not to be understood or translated literally.

Seek your life: that is, attempt to take away your life. See the comments at 23.15.

The bundle of the living: the word bundle may refer to a pouch or bag as in Job 14.17. Compare New Jerusalem Bible, “your life will be kept close in the wallet of life with Yahweh your God.” To not be bundled up in the bundle of the living means simply that one will die. On the other hand, some understand the Hebrew word to refer to a written document that has been tied up, as in Isa 8.16. If this second interpretation is accepted, the sense is similar to the idea of a book of the living (Psa 69.28). Anchor Bible says “tied up in the Document of the Living.”

Since the precise meaning of this phrase is uncertain, it may be possible to use a more general express such as in Good News Translation. See also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, “But your life is jealously taken care of [or, watched over] in the hand of the LORD your God.”

The lives of your enemies he shall sling out: that is, out of the bundle of the living just mentioned. But the comparison here is with a sling from which rocks are thrown. The same imagery is found in Jer 10.18. Here La Bible du Semeur translates “he will throw the lives of your enemies far away as with a sling.” And Contemporary English Version has “he will snatch away their lives quicker than you can throw a rock from a sling.”

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 .

On my lord as referring to David and the possible confusion with the LORD, see the comments at verses 6 and 8.

All the good that he has spoken concerning you: see 13.14.

Prince: regarding the meaning of this term, see the comments on 9.16.

Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation translate this verse as a temporal relative clause leading up to verse 31. But in some languages this complex structure may need to be simplified. New Century Version makes two separate sentences of this verse and then shows the connection with what follows by beginning verse 31 with the word “then.” Verse 30 is translated “The LORD will keep all his promises of good things for you. He will make you leader over Israel.”

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 .

Abigail’s speech continues with the use of the respectful term my lord, which may be translated “you … sir” as in Good News Translation.

Pangs of conscience: literally “stumbling-block [or, offense] of heart.” Some languages may say “your heart will not accuse [or, condemn] you.”

And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord: this may be stated as “And when the LORD has prospered my lord” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or better, “Then when the LORD makes all you do prosper” (Revised English Bible).

The appeal concludes with a plea to remember your handmaid. That is, Abigail is asking for mercy for herself. Once again in many languages the best translation will include a first person singular pronoun, “remember me.” The element of respect is retained in Good News Translation by the use of “sir, please….”

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 .

Blessed be the LORD: in some languages it is quite impossible to use the word “bless” in this context, since God cannot be blessed. The meaning is “Praise the LORD,” as indicated in Good News Translation.

Who sent you: there is nothing in the story previously which indicates that God sent Abigail. But this is David’s analysis of the situation. Contemporary English Version attempts to reflect this by translating “He must have sent you.” However, most readers will probably understand a more literal rendering in this way.

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 relationship between Blessed be your discretion and blessed be you may be expressed in different ways. While the two elements may be seen as equal (“I thank God for you and for the wisdom you have shown”), it is also possible to relate them as follows: “may God bless you for the good judgment you have displayed.”

Discretion renders a noun meaning “perception” or “good sense” (Contemporary English Version, La Bible du Semeur). Other renderings include “good judgment” (New American Bible) and “wisdom” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Bloodguilt: see the comments on verse 26 above.

With my own hand: on this expression, see also verse 26.

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 .

As surely as the LORD the God of Israel lives: see verse 26.

Good News Translation provides a possible model for restructuring this verse. The relative clause who has restrained me from hurting you is made into an independent sentence and shifted to a position before the oath formula.

Made haste: see the comments at verses 18 and 23.

One male: literally “one urinating against a wall” (see the comments on verse 22). Good News Translation understands the reference to be to “Nabal’s men,” who have been mentioned in the preceding verses. Others see the reference to be “any male of the family of Nabal” (so Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente) or “… of Nabal’s household” (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 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Received from her hand: it may be inadvisable to include a literal translation of the words from her hand in some languages. Translators should look for a verb that conveys the notion of gracious acceptance of a gift offered. Knox translates simply “accepted all the gifts she brought him.”

Go up in peace: in the present context this expression means that Abigail no longer had anything to be upset about. She could return home without further anxiety.

See: the imperative form of this verb is used in a way that is quite similar to the focusing particle often translated “behold” or “lo.” The imperative verb here directs attention to David’s statement that follows.

Hearkened to your voice may be translated “granted your request” (New International Version) or “I will do what you have asked” (New Century Version).

And I have granted your petition: literally “and I have lifted up your face.” This expression means that the person who is the superior has accepted the other person’s request (see the same idiom in Gen 19.21).

In languages where indirect discourse is preferred, the last part of this verse may be translated “He told her to stop worrying and go back home because he had listened to her and had decided to do what she asked.”

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 .