While some modern versions virtually ignore the words And do this, it is quite possible to translate them as a separate sentence introducing the instructions that follow. New Century Version, for example, says “This is what you should do.” Contemporary English Version is quite similar.
Remove the kings, each from his post, and put commanders in their places: Remove should not be understood as primarily meaning physical removal. The sense is rather “relieve the kings of their command and appoint other officers in their place” (Revised English Bible).
The kings are the thirty-two kings mentioned in verse 1. See the comments there regarding the identity of these kings.
The Hebrew noun rendered commanders is the same Hebrew noun that Revised Standard Version translates “governors” in 1 Kgs 10.15. Several translations (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, La Bible du Semeur, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), in fact, translate this noun as “governors” here in verse 24 also. If this is the correct meaning of this noun in this context, then the sense is that Benhadad should incorporate the kingdoms ruled by these thirty-two rulers into his own empire and appoint governors who serve under his rule to be in charge of these territories. With this understanding of the Hebrew noun, the reference is not to military leaders but rather to persons who exercise administrative control.
Other interpreters, however, argue that this noun seems to cover a wide range of positions and must be translated according to the context here as something such as “officers” (New International Version, Revised English Bible), “field commanders” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation), “commanders” (New Century Version), or “professional soldiers” (New Jerusalem Bible). A different Hebrew noun is translated “governors” in verses 14-15. Either interpretation is acceptable here.
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 .