You know that …: this information has been placed at the end of the verse in Good News Translation. Others may prefer to keep this at the beginning of the verse but make the meaning clearer by saying something like “You know what kind of person Abner is!”

The son of Ner: the Septuagint and a manuscript from Qumran omit these words, but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {B} evaluation to the Masoretic Text. For translation purposes, however, see the comments on verse 23 above.

Your going out and your coming in: in Hebrew the expression “go out and come in” usually signifies military action, that is, military maneuvers (so Josh 14.11; Psa 121.8; 1 Sam 18.13, 16; 29.6). The rendering “your movements” (Moffatt, Revised English Bible, New International Version, and Anderson) reflect this military context. The Contemporary English Version translation “He wants to find out how strong your army is” maintains the military context, but misses the point that the Hebrew refers to planned movement of David’s troops. It is possible, but less likely, that the reference is to the general daily activity of David.

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 .