Now therefore: this translates the common Hebrew conjunction and the adverb Now, which are followed by the two imperative verb forms, know this and consider (literally “know and see”). These two imperatives sound almost too impolite to be used by a servant speaking to the wife of his master. Good News Translation softens this by adding the word “please.” But this does not really reflect anything in the original.

Evil is determined against our master: see the comments on this same idiom in 20.9. A passive meaning is conveyed by Revised Standard Version and certain other versions: “is planned” (Klein); “has been decided” (New Revised Standard Version). But in languages where the passive is impossible or unnatural, other models are available: “harm threatens our master” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “misfortune is in store for our master” (Anchor Bible). In some languages this will be worded as “bad things are surely about to come on our master” or “they [indefinite] are planning to do our master harm.”

All of his house: that is, “all of his family” (compare 22.15).

He is so ill-natured: literally “he [is] a son of Belial.” See the comments on 1.16, and see verse 25 below. The idiom “He’s a bully” (Contemporary English Version) communicates the idea well in English, but a better model may be “he has such a bad character” (La Bible du Semeur).

One cannot speak to him: literally “not to speak to him.” But the sense is clear enough. Nabal was such a mean person that “no one can say a word to him,” “who won’t listen to anyone” (Contemporary English Version), or “it is no good talking to him” (Revised English Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .