Ben-hesed, or “The son of Hesed” (Contemporary English Version), was in charge of the third administrative district. This district is located by some archaeologists in the Plain of Sharon along the seacoast in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. Others have located the district further east in the hill country of Manasseh, and recent studies seem to support this location in the hill country.

Arubboth … Socoh … Hepher: All these places are towns. The town of Socoh was located on the eastern edge of the Plain of Sharon, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Samaria. Although some have attempted to locate the towns of Arubboth and Hepher on the Plain of Sharon, recent studies suggest a location to the east of it in the hill country. The Hebrew expression for the land of Hepher refers to the territory around the city-state of Hepher and under its rule.

Where possible, it is advisable to restructure this verse in such a way as to avoid the parenthetical statement of Revised Standard Version (so Good News Translation).

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 .