David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff.)


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 16:21

Entered his service: literally “stood before him.” In this context some will prefer to translate “began to serve him” or “started working for him” (Contemporary English Version). See verse 22 and comments on verse 16 above.

Saul loved him greatly: literally “he loved him greatly.” Revised Standard Version supplies the proper noun in place of the pronoun. Since the subject of the verbs came, entered, and became is David, readers may incorrectly assume that David is also the subject of the verb loved. It will perhaps be necessary to use the name Saul (so also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible), since the pronoun “he” may be ambiguous in many languages.

Armor-bearer: see the comments on 14.7. It should be clear to readers that it was David who became the armor bearer of Saul and not the contrary.

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 .