So: the common Hebrew conjunction here seems to mark a simple transition that may be shown in some languages by the beginning of a new paragraph. Some versions, such as Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible, actually put a new section heading at this point, since what follows deals with “the administration of the kingdom” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “David’s officials” (New American Bible).

Reigned over: or “ruled,” “governed,” “controlled.”

As indicated by the Revised Standard Version rendering, the name David is repeated at the beginning of the second main clause of this verse, but it will be more natural to replace it by a pronoun in most languages.

Administered justice and equity to all his people: the terms justice and equity do not refer to two completely different things. Rather this is very likely a case where two nouns are used in place of a noun and an adjective to talk about a single idea. This is why New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translated “executed true justice among all his people.” It will not be wrong to use two nouns in the receptor language translation, as long as they will not be understood as referring to two separate ideas.

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 .