And: the conjunction here merely indicates the next step in the sequence of events.

Speak thus to him: literally “as this word.” The wording in the Revised Standard Version leads the reader to expect that Joab’s exact words will immediately follow. Since the text does not give these words, it will probably be better to say something like Good News Translation, or “repeat what I tell you” (Revised English Bible), or “talk to him using the words that I am going to give you.” Nueva Biblia Española includes all of verses 4-20 as the conversation that Joab instructs the woman to have with the king, but this interpretation seems improbable.

So: the conjunction here connects the direct quotation with the following indirect statement that Joab provided the words that the woman was to speak to David.

Put the words in her mouth: this is another well-known English idiom, but in this case it is based on a similar Hebrew idiom. The expression also occurs in Exo 4.15 (compare also Num 22.38 and Ezra 8.17). In some languages it will be better translated “told her what he wanted her to say” or “informed her of the things that she should speak to the king.” Probably Joab gave only very general instructions rather than a completely prepared speech to be memorized. As one commentator points out, there would have been no need to find a wise woman if only rote memory was involved. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, “Joab suggested to the woman what she should say.”

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 .