But it happened represents the common verbal transition that is sometimes translated “And it came to pass” (Jewish Publication Version). See the discussion on this discourse marker in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 14-15. While it may not be necessary to represent the Hebrew verb for “to be” explicitly in translation, some kind of contrasting conjunction such as But (Revised Standard Version) or “however” (Good News Translation) is important. The events that follow stand in contrast to what the king had ordered and what Shimei had clearly agreed to do.
Although the text does not say so directly, it seems clear that Shimei’s slaves were living on the property or land that Shimei owned. Along with other slaves, they were probably working his land while Shimei himself was forced to stay within the city of Jerusalem. For slaves see the discussion on “servant” in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” page 12.
Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath: The Philistines lived mostly in five independent cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. Each city was ruled by a lord, that is, someone who ruled with the authority of a king. Gath was about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Jerusalem and was the closest of these cities to the territory of Judah. The information that Gath was a city may be made explicit in translation (so Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). The name of its ruler, Achish, appears for the first time in the Old Testament in 1 Sam 21 and reappears again in 1 Sam 27–29. In 1 Sam 27.2, King Achish is said to be the son of “Maoch.” It is not certain whether “Maoch” and Maacah are different names for the same person or whether the Achish here in 1 Kings is the grandson of the King Achish who is prominent in 1 Samuel. Since it is possible, if not likely, that Maacah and “Maoch” refer to two different persons, translators should not harmonize the spellings of the two names. Neither should the words son of Maacah be omitted, as Contemporary English Version and New Living Translation have done.
When it was told Shimei is literally “and they told Shimei.” The Hebrew verb in this expression is third person plural, but the subject is left implicit. Others may find it more natural to translate “When Shimei learned about this” or “When Shimei found out what had happened.”
Behold, your slaves are in Gath: The Hebrew focusing particle rendered Behold serves merely to draw the attention of the reader to the quotation that follows. Good News Translation omits the particle since it transforms the direct quotation here into indirect speech.
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 .