Doeg the Edomite: see 21.7. Doeg’s comments refer to the events recorded in 21.1-10. Since Doeg was identified in 21.7 as an Edomite, that is, a non-Israelite, Good News Translation does not repeat that information here. But it is important that readers understand that Doeg was not an Israelite (see verse 18), so it is preferable to include the words the Edomite again in this verse.

Servants: see verse 6.

Doeg does not state when he saw David coming to Nob, and in some languages it may be more natural to introduce the reference with an indefinite time. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente: “ ‘One day,’ said Doeg the Edomite, who intervened, ‘I saw….’ ” Another possible approach is to have Doeg say “When I was in the town of Nob, I saw…” (Contemporary English Version).

The son of Jesse: see verse 7. Instead of using David’s name, Doeg uses the same pejorative expression as Saul had used.

Ahimelech the son of Ahitub: Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente and Contemporary English Version render this “the priest Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.” The fact that Ahimelech was a priest is given in verse 11, but for the sake of clarity this information may be shifted to this verse.

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 .