They told the king: The subject pronoun they is indefinite and the whole expression may be rendered by a passive form as in Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version. But in languages where the passive is not an option, it will be possible to say “Someone told David” (Contemporary English Version), “The king’s advisers told him” (New Living Translation), or “Some servants informed the king” (similarly New Century Version).

Here is Nathan the prophet: Here is renders the Hebrew focusing particle, which Revised Standard Version often translates “Behold.” Since it is used here to introduce Nathan, the Revised Standard Version rendering is appropriate. The text states only that Nathan has arrived. But it is clear from verse 28 that Bathsheba must have left when he arrived or shortly thereafter. It may be more natural in certain languages to transform the direct discourse of this verse into indirect discourse as Good News Translation has done. Revised English Bible similarly says “The king was informed that Nathan was there.”

He bowed … with his face to the ground: See the comments on verse 16, where it is noted that bowing down to the ground is a sign of great respect. In some contexts, however, such as Num 14.5 and 1 Sam 25.23, this action may also indicate a sign of distress. Since Nathan and David were inside, it may be better to say “the floor” rather than the ground.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .