Then: This verse begins in Hebrew with the common conjunction. Revised Standard Version gives it a temporal translation, while Good News Translation gives it a logical sense, expressing the result “So.” Either is possible.

Went up probably means that Benaiah climbed the steps leading up to the altar (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.53). Revised English Bible makes this explicit with “went up to the altar.” On the other hand, New American Bible, like Good News Translation, takes the verb to mean simply that he “went back” to the Tent of the LORD’s presence.

It will be noted that Good News Translation drops the qualifying expression son of Jehoiada as being an unnecessary repetition of information already given (see verse 25 as well as 1 Kgs 1.8, 26, 32, 36, 38, 44).

He was buried in his own house: The words in his own house do not mean that he was literally buried inside of the house where he had lived. The sense is that he was buried “at his home” (New Jerusalem Bible) where he had lived. Others translate “on his property” (Bible en français courant) and “near his home” (Contemporary English Version). According to 2 Sam 2.32, Joab’s family was from Bethlehem.

The wilderness: The Hebrew noun for wilderness refers to uninhabited land or to large sections of land in which few towns exist. Revised English Bible translates this “the country” and Good News Translation says “the open country.” New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible both say “the desert.” The reference here is probably to the wilderness of Judah.

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 .