The elders of his house: some translations give a rather literal rendering, “the elders” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible) or “the older men” (Revised English Bible). But this expression refers to a specific group, that is, to the important officials in the royal household. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh speaks of “the senior servants of his household,” while Moffatt attempts to get at the idea with “sheikhs of his household.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente calls them “his most authoritative servants.” Bible en français courant, on the other hand, takes this to mean “the most respected of his servants.” The basic sense seems to be that these were men of David’s household whom David trusted and who had special authority and influence.

Stood beside him: a slight alteration of the traditional Hebrew text gives a somewhat different meaning: “approached him” (Anchor Bible). This seems to be the basis of the Good News Translation translation as well. This is supported by one manuscript of the ancient Greek version and by one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but it is not mentioned in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project/Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, perhaps because there is no serious difference in meaning between the two readings.

To raise him from the ground: it is unclear whether this means “tried to talk him into getting up” (Contemporary English Version) or “intending to get him off the ground” (New Jerusalem Bible). But several modern versions prefer the idea of “inducing” or “urging” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version) rather than physical action. This seems to fit the context better.

But he would not: that is, he would not allow his officials to help him up. Rather he remained on the ground and refused to eat.

In some languages it will be redundant to say eat food, since the idea of food is already contained in the verb.

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 .