The expression When the news came to Joab will sound unnatural in some languages if translated literally. The meaning may be translated as in Good News Translation or by saying “When someone told Joab the news.” And in some cases it may be desirable to make it clear what news is referred to: “that Adonijah had been killed” (Contemporary English Version). It is possible that the news refers more broadly to the news about both Adonijah and Abiathar. Following this interpretation, some translations say “When Joab had learned what happened to Adonijah and Abiathar” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). But the parenthetical comment that Joab had supported Adonijah suggests that the Contemporary English Version translation more correctly expresses the intended meaning.

For Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom: When Absalom had rebelled against his father David and had attempted to become king, Joab had remained loyal to David (2 Sam 16–18, especially 17.25; 18.1-15). Many of the ancient versions read “for Joab had supported Adonijah and had not supported Solomon.” They have the name “Solomon” instead of the name Absalom. But all modern versions seem to follow the Masoretic Text here.

The tent of the LORD: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.39.

Horns of the altar: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.50.

Revised Standard Version follows the word order of the Hebrew in its placement of the clause for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom. As Revised Standard Version (also New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) punctuates this verse, by setting this clause off with dashes from the rest of the verse, this clause indicates why someone told Joab the news about Adonijah. This seems to be the most natural reading of the Hebrew.

It is, however, possible to understand this clause as providing the reason that Joab fled to the altar rather than the reason he was told the news about Adonijah. This second interpretation is found in Revised English Bible, which reads “When news of all this reached Joab, he fled to the Tent of the LORD and laid hold of the horns of the altar; for he had sided with Adonijah, though not with Absalom.” This same interpretation is found in Contemporary English Version, which restructures the verse to read as follows:

• Joab had not helped Absalom try to become king, but he had helped Adonijah. So when Joab learned that Adonijah had been killed, he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .