5:1 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn –
(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, 1 his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. 2
12:19 Some men from Manasseh joined 7 David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (But in the end they did not help the Philistines because, after taking counsel, the Philistine lords sent David away, saying: “It would be disastrous for us if he deserts to his master Saul.”) 8
28:20 David said to his son Solomon: “Be strong and brave! Do it! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! 14 For the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you or abandon you before all the work for the service of the Lord’s temple is finished.
1 sn The phrase when he defiled his father’s bed refers to Reuben having sexual relations with his father Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. This incident is recorded in Gen 35:22.
2 tn Heb “and not to be listed in the genealogical records as (having) the right of the firstborn.”
3 tn Heb “and David went out before them and answered and said to them.”
4 tn Heb “there will be to me concerning you a heart for unity.”
5 tn Heb “with no violence in my hands.”
6 tn Heb “fathers.”
7 tn Heb “fell upon,” here in a good sense.
8 tn Heb “and they did not help them for by counsel they sent him away, the lords of the Philistines, saying, ‘With our heads he will fall to his master Saul.’”
9 tn “and doing evil I did evil.” The infinitive absolute precedes the finite form of the verb for emphasis.
10 tn Heb “let your hand be on me and on the house of my father.”
11 tn Heb “but on your people not for a plague.”
12 tn Heb “and the word of the
13 tn Heb “for my name.”
14 tn Or perhaps, “don’t be discouraged.”