Rose from the table: while the traditional Hebrew text has the common verb meaning “to get up,” evidence from Qumran and the Septuagint suggests a much stronger verb, one that would fit the context quite well. It has been translated “sprang up” (New American Bible, Anchor Bible) and “jumped up” (Klein). Contextual translation may require something like this, even if the textual evidence favors rose.

Food: literally “bread” (see verse 24).

The second day of the month: that is, the second day of the celebration of the appearance of the new moon. Good News Translation makes this implied information more explicit by referring directly to “the New Moon Festival.” See the comments on verse 5.

He was grieved for David: the wording of Revised Standard Version is awkward. While the Hebrew is passive in form, the meaning is that Jonathan was “upset about David” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Disgraced him: the pronoun more than likely refers to David, although it could possibly point to Jonathan himself. New International Version is probably correct in translating “at his father’s shameful treatment of David.”

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 .

1Sam 20.35-42

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 .