The Syrians of Damascus: because Zobah was a part of the Syrian federation, the other Syrians set out to help their fellow countryman. Since readers are more likely to think of Damascus only as a city, it may be better to add a word with a wider meaning like “territory,” “region,” or in some languages “country,” to show that a nation-state is involved. Contemporary English Version speaks of “the … kingdom of Damascus.”

Good News Translation clarifies the meaning of the verb came with “sent an army.” Similarly Contemporary English Version speaks of “troops.”

Slew: this represents the same word as that translated “defeated” in verses 1, 2, and 3. But the context here seems to require the more specific meaning “killed,” since the victims are counted. David, of course, did not personally kill all twenty-two thousand enemy soldiers, so some languages may require “David and his men” or “the army of David” as the subject of this verb.

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 .