Sent Joab …: the verb clearly implies that Joab and the Israelite army were sent to fight the Ammonites. This is why Good News Translation adds “against them.”

And all the host of the mighty men: or more literally “and all the army, the mighty men.” Usually the expression the mighty men suggests a special group of well-trained men or professional soldiers, while all the host refers to the entire fighting force of Israel. But here the two appear to be in apposition. Perhaps the two expressions are best understood as in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “the whole army—[including] the professional fighters.” But the brackets are not recommended. New Revised Standard Version has the same essential meaning: “all the army with the warriors.” However, when one says “the entire army,” the special forces are included.

Some translators may wish to restructure this brief verse to say:

• When David heard what the Ammonites were doing, he sent the whole army of Israel, with its special forces, with Joab at its head, to fight them.

Or:

• … despatched all the Israelite soldiers including its special forces and their commander, Joab.

Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “commanded by Joab.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .