The mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing: Mind is literally “heart” (see the comments on 1 Kgs 3.9). The Hebrew verb rendered was greatly troubled means “to be moved,” “to be stirred up,” or “to be agitated.” Some take it to mean “enraged” (New International Version) or “infuriated” (American Bible), but more likely the king was “greatly disturbed” (so New American Bible) or “grew very much disturbed” (New Jerusalem Bible).
As in verse 8, his servants refers to the king’s military officers, not his domestic servants.
Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?: The question of the Syrian king is awkwardly worded in Revised Standard Version, but the king was clearly concerned that there must have been a spy among his officers. Since the king of Israel always seemed to know his plans, he could not imagine any other way that this information would be known in advance. Some possible model translations are “Which one of you is telling my plans to the king of Israel?” and “Point out for me the person here who is spying for the king of Israel.”
Instead of the words who of us is for the king of Israel, the Septuagint reads “who betrayed me to the king of Israel.” Following the Greek text, some interpreters slightly alter the spelling of the Hebrew words translated who of us to read “who has delivered us” or “which of you is betraying us” (New Jerusalem Bible). But the Masoretic Text, which has a {B} rating in Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, makes sense and should be followed. However, the meaning is basically the same in the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text. The Hebrew preposition translated for means “on the side of” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) in this context.
The use of the pronoun us almost makes it sound as if the king of Syria is including himself among those who might possibly be on the side of the king of Israel. Since this is certainly not his intent, it will be much better in many languages to change to the second person plural pronoun “you” as Good News Translation has done. New Jerusalem Bible has both pronouns, saying “Tell me which of you is betraying us to the king of Israel.” Compare also “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?” (New Living Translation) and “Won’t you tell me who, among you, works for the king of Israel?” (Nouvelle Bible Segond).
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 .