The garrison: this represents a Hebrew word that is different from, yet related to, the word translated in this way in verses 3 and 4, and in 10.5 and 2 Sam 8.6, 14. The term used here and several times in chapter 14 is a somewhat technical one for a rather large group of soldiers more or less permanently established in a particular location. New International Version uses the rather technical English term “detachment,” while Revised English Bible speaks of “a company of troops,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “a Philistine unit.”

The pass of Michmash: on the place name Michmash see verse 2. The valley, or canyon, that separates Michmash on the north and Geba on the south side was too deep to cross. It was necessary to cross a short distance to the east at Michmash Pass, which is also called “the pass at Geba” in Isa 10.29. The Hebrew text leaves implicit the reason that the Philistine troops went to the pass of Michmash. Good News Translation makes the reason explicit: “to defend” the pass. Compare also “The Philistines had posted a company of troops to hold the pass of Michmash” (Revised English Bible) and “The pass at Micmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the Philistine army” (New Living Translation).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .