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 23:13

David and his men … arose: literally “David arose and his men.” The focus is on David in the Hebrew, since the verb arose is singular.

Arose: see verse 4. In this context the idea may be communicated by an adverbial expression like “at once” (Good News Translation) or “fast” (Contemporary English Version).

They went wherever they could go: see the same expression in 2 Sam 15.20. David and his men “moved about from place to place” (Revised English Bible) in order to avoid being captured by Saul. Another way of conveying the intended meaning may be to say “they went wherever they might be safe” or “they moved from place to place in order to avoid being captured.”

Saul was told: the text does not state who told Saul. In some languages it will be necessary to use an indefinite subject and an active verb: “they told Saul.” In other cases it will be more natural to say “someone told Saul.”

Escaped: see the comments on 19.10.

He gave up the expedition: literally “he stopped [or, discontinued] to go.” Others have translated “he did not go there” (New International Version) and “he decided not to go after him” (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 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .