David said longingly: literally “David longed and he said.” The verb “longed” actually means “crave,” “covet,” or “desire greatly,” but it has no object in this context. In other contexts the translation of this verb includes the idea of “heart’s desire” (1 Sam 23.20) and of “wanton craving” (Psa 106.14). It is clear that David had a deep desire for something, but the problem is to determine what he wanted so badly. New International Version has “longed for water and said…,” but it seems unlikely that he was merely thirsty. Rather, he was homesick; he “felt a yearning” (Anchor Bible); “felt a craving” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “had a strong craving” (New American Bible). The two verbs may possibly be translated as in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, “expressed this desire….”

O that some one would give me water: literally “who will give [or, supply] me water…?” The English words “will give me water” translate a single verb with a suffix in Hebrew. In some languages it will be more natural to translate the question as in Hebrew than to try to reflect the resigned sigh of Revised Standard Version. In other cases it may be better to begin the sentence “I really wish someone would give me water….”

Instead of the verb give, it may be more appropriate in many languages to use something like “bring,” since there was no such water nearby at the time the statement was made.

The well of Bethlehem which is by the gate: the order of the elements here may need to be altered for the sake of naturalness and clarity. Some languages may say “the well of Bethlehem, the one that is by the gate” or “the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” Also, the margin of the Hebrew text in some manuscripts reads “cistern” (so New American Bible), a word that is similar in Hebrew to the word for “well.” But it is best to translate well. And in any case some languages may not even distinguish between the two terms. In English a well is a hole dug in the ground where water is found naturally. A cistern, on the other hand, is a place where water is stored, but the water has to be brought from another source elsewhere or is collected there when it rains.

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 .