Said: in the context of the exchange between the woman and the king, this may be translated “answered” in many languages. The king’s answer contains an implicit rejection of what the woman has said in the previous verse. For this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente begins verse 10 with “ ‘No,’ replied the king. ‘If anyone….’ ”

If any one says anything to you: literally “the one saying to you.” This expression leaves understood that the person will be saying something bad or menacing. But this may be made clear in translation, “if anyone says anything bad to you…” (New Century Version) or “if anyone gives you any trouble.” While most versions take this to refer to any future threats, New Jerusalem Bible and Anchor Bible understand it as a command regarding a person who had already been making accusations. New Jerusalem Bible speaks of “the man who threatened you.”

Shall never touch you again: the verb used here is translated “smite” in 5.8, and elsewhere as “molest” (Ruth 2.9). In this case it is obviously not to be taken literally. The meaning is rather that any person troubling the woman in any way will no longer do so. So one of the following translations may be a good model: “he will not trouble you again” (Revised English Bible); “it won’t happen again!” (Contemporary English Version); “he will not bother you again” (New International Version); “I will not let him do thee any more hurt” (Knox).

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 .