The pronoun he at the beginning of this verse is probably a reference to David, and in some languages it will be necessary to make this clear by the use of the personal name (Good News Translation, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, some scholars take it as a reference to Amasa (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Moffatt), who, because of his nomination as David’s new military chief, would have worked at convincing the other people of Judah to support David. A third alternative is to follow the manuscript evidence that has a passive form of the verb and yields a translation meaning “the heart of every man in Judah was inclined like one man.” This is adopted by Anchor Bible and Contemporary English Version. The writer’s intention, however, is most likely that David is to be understood as the subject. Translators are therefore advised to translate this meaning.
Swayed the heart: this expression is translated elsewhere “incline the heart…” (Josh 24.23; 1 Kgs 8.58). David’s messages had served to make the people of Judah inclined toward him as their king. Some other ways of expressing this are “attracted them,” “won them over,” or “gained their loyalty.”
All the men of Judah: this, of course, does not mean that the women were against him. If the use of the word for men implies this in the receptor language, it should be avoided. It will be quite easy in most cases to say “all the people of Judah.”
As one man: or “as one person,” since there is no particular emphasis on maleness in this case. This expression is a fairly common one for unity and completeness. It indicates that there was no dissension at all among the people of Judah. The same expression occurs in 1 Sam 11.7; Judges 6.16; 20.1, 8, 11; Num 14.15; Ezra 3.1; Neh 8.1.
The direct quotation of what the people of Judah sent to David may need to be made indirect in many languages. Revised English Bible provides a possible model, “they sent to the king, urging him and his men to return.” The Hebrew says “they sent” without an object, but in many languages it will be necessary to add an object such as “word” (Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation) or “a message.”
Servants: in this context the word servants is a clear reference to the soldiers and officials who were with David. In most cases it will be necessary to alter the form in order to translate this meaning clearly.
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 .