OET interlinear 1 SAM 29:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

אֶל־מְקוֹמ⁠וֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִפְקַדְתּ֣⁠וֹ שָׁ֔ם

to/towards place_of,his which/who you,assigned_him there

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would not be natural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [to his place that you assigned him]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicitinfo

וְ⁠לֹֽא־יֵרֵ֤ד

and=not go_down

By saying go down, the Philistine lords are marking travel for elevation, as was customary in this culture. Express this in a way that would be natural in your language. See how you translated the similar expression in [1:3](../01/03.md). Alternate translation: [he shall not go]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

עִמָּ֨⁠נוּ֙

with,us

The Philistine lords are using the pronoun us to refer to themselves to and Achish, whom they are addressing, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

וּ⁠בַ⁠מֶּ֗ה יִתְרַצֶּ֥ה זֶה֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י⁠ו הֲ⁠ל֕וֹא בְּ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָ⁠הֵֽם

and,,how? reconcile_himself this to/towards master(s)_of,his am=not by,the_heads_of of,the_men the=those

The Philistine lords are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [For this one would make himself acceptable to his master by the heads of these men!]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

וְ⁠לֹֽא

and=not

Here the word For introduces not a reason but a further explanation. Alternate translation: [After all]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

בְּ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָ⁠הֵֽם

by,the_heads_of of,the_men the=those

The Philistine lords are using one part of these men, their heads, to mean all of them in the act of potentially being killed by David and his men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [by killing these men]

Note 7 topic: translate-symaction

בְּ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָ⁠הֵֽם

by,the_heads_of of,the_men the=those

The Philistine lords could also be suggesting that David and his men would cut off the heads of Philistine soldiers and bring them to Saul. That would be a symbolic action proving loyalty to Saul and providing him with war trophies, just as David took Goliath’s head as a war trophy in [17:54](../17/54.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [by killing these men and presenting their heads to him as war trophies]