OET interlinear 2 SAM 1:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

וַ⁠יְהִ֣י

and=he/it_was

In this case, the author is using this phrase to introduce a new development in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method here that is natural in your language for introducing a new development.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁלִישִׁ֗י

(Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_was in_the=day the=third and=see/lo/see! (a)_man he/it_came from/more_than the,camp from,with Shāʼūl/(Saul)'s and,garments_of,his torn and,earth on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head and=he/it_was when,came,he to/towards Dāvid and,he_fell towards=land and,he_bowed_down )

In this culture, the current day was considered the first day, the next day was considered the second day, and the day after that was considered the third day. So this phrase is referring to the day after the day after David returned to Ziklag. Express this in terms that your language and culture would naturally use. Alternate translation: [on the next day]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠הִנֵּה֩

(Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_was in_the=day the=third and=see/lo/see! (a)_man he/it_came from/more_than the,camp from,with Shāʼūl/(Saul)'s and,garments_of,his torn and,earth on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head and=he/it_was when,came,he to/towards Dāvid and,he_fell towards=land and,he_bowed_down )

See the discussion of the expression “behold” in the Introduction to 2 Samuel to decide how to represent it in your translation here and throughout the book.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

וּ⁠בְגָדָ֣י⁠ו קְרֻעִ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑⁠וֹ

and,garments_of,his torn and,earth on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head

If your language does not use a passive form such as were torn, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. You could also identify this man as the one responsible for the dirt being on his head. Alternate translation: [and he had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head]

Note 5 topic: translate-symaction

וּ⁠בְגָדָ֣י⁠ו קְרֻעִ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑⁠וֹ

and,garments_of,his torn and,earth on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head

This was a symbolic action that showed the man was in mourning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [and he had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head to show that he was grieving]

Note 6 topic: translate-symaction

וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָ⁠ה וַ⁠יִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ

(Some words not found in UHB: and=he/it_was in_the=day the=third and=see/lo/see! (a)_man he/it_came from/more_than the,camp from,with Shāʼūl/(Saul)'s and,garments_of,his torn and,earth on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head and=he/it_was when,came,he to/towards Dāvid and,he_fell towards=land and,he_bowed_down )

Be sure it is clear in your translation that this man did not fall down accidentally. He knelt down in front of David as a gesture to honor him. He then prostrated himself or stretched out flat on the ground to show David great honor. Alternate translation: [and he knelt on the ground in front of David, stretching himself out flat, to honor him greatly]