Then renders the common Hebrew conjunction and not the temporal adverb used twice in verse 16. It is merely a transition marker, but in this context some may find it natural to translate it “So” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) since what happens next is a result of the situation described in the two previous verses. Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible make the connection by beginning this verse with “At this.” New American Bible has “Thereupon,” which is hardly common language, but it does capture the meaning of the transition needed in this context.

The three mighty men refers to the three men mentioned in verse 12.

Broke through the camp of the Philistines: The Hebrew verb rendered broke through means “to split” or “to force an opening,” and often has a nuance of violence. Translations such as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation correctly indicate that a fierce battle took place. International Children’s Bible similarly says that the three soldiers “fought their way through the Philistine army,” and American Bible has “broke into the Philistine garrison.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says they “got through the Philistine camp.” Some interpreters think it is more likely that this was a secret operation at night, so Contemporary English Version has “sneaked through the Philistine camp.” This may also be expressed as “infiltrated the Philistine camp.” Revised English Bible has a somewhat more neutral rendering: “made their way through the Philistine lines.” However, translations such as “sneaked through” or “made their way through” do not seem to be forceful enough to represent the Hebrew verb, although the connotation of violence is not always present in the use of this Hebrew verb. Both interpretations are possible. While the latter interpretation seems more logical, the former one is probably more in keeping with the vocabulary used in the Hebrew text.

And drew water out of the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took and brought it to David: As noted in the comments on verse 15, the distance between Bethlehem and David’s location near Adullam was about 20 kilometers. It will be unwise in some languages to imitate Revised Standard Version‘s literal translation in the use of the two verbs took and brought when a single verb will serve the same purpose.

But David would not drink it: But renders the common Hebrew conjunction, but there is a clear need for a connector that marks contrast since David’s response was not what the reader would expect. American Bible has “however.” David would not drink of it is literally “David was not willing to drink them.” Revised Standard Version uses the singular pronoun it as English requires. Several French versions render this clause as “he did not want to drink it.” In some languages it may be more natural to say “he refused to drink it” (New Century Version, Revised English Bible).

He poured it out to the LORD is literally “he poured them out to the LORD.” Once again Revised Standard Version uses the singular pronoun it. The vocabulary used here is that of a “libation” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible; compare Gen 35.14). Although David wanted very much to drink the water, he offered it to the LORD as a sacrifice. Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente specifies that he poured it out “on the ground.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .