Behold: once again this reflects the Hebrew focusing particle, which directs particular attention to what is about to be said. Many English versions, including New International Version and New Revised Standard Version, leave it untranslated at this point.

It may be unwieldy to include both their two sons and Zadok’s son … Abiathar’s son in this verse, since this constitutes an unnecessary repetition of the same idea. Good News Translation eliminates the second of these elements, while New Century Version drops the first. Either of these may serve as a helpful model for some languages.

You shall send to me: the verb form used here has the force of an imperative. New Jerusalem Bible has “you will send me word.” This is clearly something that David wanted Hushai to do.

The structure of the last part of this verse will need to be changed in many languages. One possible model is “you tell them all the information that you learn and they will bring it to me.”

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 .