Now: this is a translation of the common Hebrew conjunction that may be better left untranslated in this context. It serves merely to join the different parts of the story. Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation begin a new paragraph at this point.

Between the two gates: this should not be taken to mean that David was sitting at some point along the wall between two different gates leading to the outside of the city. Gates to fortified cities were often built in the form of a tower and in fact consisted of two gates, one at the outside of the wall and another on the inside. There was therefore a space between these two gates along the path that a person had to take to enter the city. In this area there may have been one or more rooms for guards. David was probably in such a room. The fact that the king was sitting here seems to indicate that he was anxiously awaiting news from the field of battle. Translators are advised to follow the lead of those modern English versions that speak of “inner and outer gates” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, and Contemporary English Version as well as Good News Translation).

The roof of the gate by the wall: the structure that included the gates to the city had flat roofs like the ordinary dwellings. But these were particularly well suited for keeping watch and protecting the city. The lookout went up to the roof and from that vantage point saw a single runner coming.

Lifted up his eyes: see the comments on 13.34; 1 Sam 6.13.

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 .