While he was still speaking: Before Joab had finished asking his question about the meaning of the uproar in the city, he was interrupted by the arrival of a man named Jonathan.

Behold: This interjection is not translated in Good News Translation. It functions in Hebrew to mark the suddenness of the appearance of Jonathan and possibly also to draw attention to what follows.

Jonathan the son of Abiathar appears here for the first time in 1 Kings, but he was mentioned earlier in 2 Sam 15 and 17.

A worthy man is literally “a man of power [or, wealth].” The Hebrew noun translated worthy has various meanings depending on the context, for example, “power,” “ability,” “wealth,” and “property.” The English word worthy (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) will suggest “moral worth” to many readers. But while the Hebrew word may include “moral worth,” as in verse 52, it may also refer to one’s status as a wealthy person of high social standing. In this context the focus seems to be on the fact that Jonathan is trustworthy or reliable. Compare the following translations: “a valiant man” (An American Translation), “an honourable man” (Revised English Bible), “a man of worth” (New American Bible), and “an honest man” (New Jerusalem Bible; similarly Moffatt).

And bring good news: While this may sound like a statement of fact, it is really a supposition on the part of Joab. Translators may wish to reflect this by saying something like “I suppose you are bringing us some good news” or “you must be bringing good news” (New Jerusalem Bible). Some languages translate “good news will be found in your mouth.”

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 .