The sentence that started in the previous verse continues here, but it may be more natural in some languages to begin a new sentence at this point.

Instructed: the verb used here is the usual military term for “commanded.” New Jerusalem Bible renders it “gave this order…,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has a similar rendering.

The messenger: only here is the object of the verb “send” in the previous verse made clear. But in many languages it will be stated in verse 19. If this is the case, then the term used here may be translated by a pronoun.

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 .