Kings who were servants: in some languages the use of the two terms kings and servants for the same persons would be impossible. These kings were subjects of Hadadezer, but they were people of such high status that they could not be referred to as “servants” in many cultures. New International Version translates the Hebrew word with the technical English word “vassal,” which refers to someone who is subordinate to someone else. A number of versions call them “vassal kings” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Revised English Bible), or one may use a verbal expression like “the kings who served Hadadezer” (New Century Version) or “kings who had been under Hadadezer’s rule” (Contemporary English Version).

Had been defeated by Israel: this passive expression can be made active in many languages; for example, “that the Israelites had defeated them.”

Made peace: the immediate context shows that this involved accepting the terms of peace dictated by the victorious army. In some languages the proper expression here will be “begged for peace,” “sat in peace,” or “gave up fighting.”

So: that is, as a result of seeing the military victory of the people of Israel. The conjunction here introduces a final note in the story of the Syrians’ relationship to Israel. That the Syrians feared to help the Ammonites any more reminds the reader of verse 6, where the Ammonites hired Syrian troops to help them fight against Israel.

Any more: or, more literally, “again” as in Revised English Bible and New Century Version.

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 .