And behold: the focusing particle here directs particular attention to the most important thing that Jonathan wanted to say, namely the way he will get the message to David.

Revised Standard Version has supplied the verb saying. The Hebrew says literally “I will send the lad, ‘Go, find.’ ”

Look translates the same Hebrew word as rendered “behold” in the beginning of this verse. But here it is to be understood in its more literal sense, telling the servant who was chasing the arrows which way to look. The Hebrew is hinneh, the usual focusing particle.

As the LORD lives: see the comments on 14.39.

Both times that the Hebrew text has the plural noun arrows in this verse, the Septuagint (followed by Osty-Trinquet) has the singular noun “arrow.” See the comments on the text of verse 20 above. Anchor Bible, in keeping with its translation of verse 20, also says “arrow” both times.

The embedded quotations in this verse may have to be made into indirect discourse in certain languages. A possible model for this is:

• Then I will tell my servant to go and find the arrows. If you hear me tell him to look for them to his side, that will show that you will not be harmed, so you can come out. I swear by the living LORD that no one will hurt you.

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 .