Afterward: this represents only the ordinary Hebrew conjunction often rendered “and” and frequently left untranslated. Translators should not feel compelled to introduce a strong transition word here based on Revised Standard Version. However, the context does seem to indicate the passage of a certain amount of time.

My kingdom: this does not refer to territory but rather to the people over whom David ruled. This should be made clear in translation. And in some languages it will be more natural to say “my people and I” rather than to follow the order of the Hebrew text.

For ever guiltless: the words translated for ever render a temporal expression meaning “for all time.” This has been understood in the sense of “completely” by Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version. Such a translation may shift the focus slightly away from the aspect of time, but it does seem to capture the meaning that David was absolutely innocent. The idea of “innocence” or of being guiltless may be expressed in some languages by reordering the sentence and using a negative expression to say something like “are not responsible for.”

Before the LORD: this is a way of stating the Yahweh is witness to the fact. Good News Translation expresses it as “The LORD knows.” Some translations may do this by beginning David’s statement with words like “I promise in the presence of the LORD” or “the LORD is my witness” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

The blood of Abner: this refers to the death of Abner, just as in the previous verse the word blood refers to the death of Asahel.

The son of Ner: see the comments on verse 23 above.

The end of this verse and the beginning of verse 29 read as follows in the Septuagint and in a manuscript from Qumran: “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever. May the blood of Abner the son of Ner fall upon the head of Joab….” Although there is a difference in syntax between this reading and that in the Masoretic Text, the meaning is the same, except that the Septuagint does not state directly what David claims to be guiltless of. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, claiming that the variant reading is the result of a scribe’s error in copying.

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 .