At the end of three years: Compare 2 Kgs 17.5 where the three-year siege of Samaria is also mentioned. Some may prefer to translate “three years later” (Contemporary English Version). The previous verse, however, states that the attack began during the fourth year of Hezekiah’s rule, and this verse says that Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah. Parts of years are sometimes counted as a year, and apparently for this reason Moffatt translates “After two years” and Good News Translation says “In the third year.”
He took it is found in a few Hebrew manuscripts as well as several ancient versions. Most Hebrew manuscripts and editions of the Masoretic Text have “they took it.” But the meaning is the same. The singular pronoun he, however, keeps the focus on the Assyrian king who led the attacking army.
The sixth year and the ninth year refer again to the reigns of Hezekiah and Hoshea as do the similar expressions in the previous verse.
Samaria was taken speaks of the same event as he took it. So it may be unnecessary to repeat this information. In some cases it may even be confusing to do so. This will be especially true in languages that do not use the passive form. The subject understood in both cases is the king of Assyria, who is specifically mentioned in the following verse, or the Assyrian army if the reading “they took it” is followed.
Bible en français courant provides a possible model for this verse as a whole:
• the city was taken at the end of three years, that is to say, during the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah or the ninth year of the reign of Hoshea.
Compare also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente:
• The Assyrians succeeded in conquering it after three years. Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which corresponds to the ninth of Hoshea, king of Israel.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .