Then translates the word often rendered “Behold,” and it is so translated here by New American Standard Bible. This particle draws attention to the words that follow. So languages that have a similar function word may use it at the beginning of this verse.

All the men of Israel: that is, the soldiers of Israel from the northern tribes, who were mentioned in the previous verse. Some translators may be troubled by the fact that the word all is used here, while the previous verse spoke of half the people of Israel. Probably what is intended here is that “all of those who were present” came to David. It is also possible that all refers to representatives of the other northern tribes.

Came … and said: when the verb forms are translated in this way, they give the impression of a single event where a large number of Israelite soldiers came to David. It is, however, more likely that there was more than one occasion when the soldiers came with their complaints. The rendering of Anderson is therefore recommended: “kept coming … and saying.”

The question Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen you away…? is more of a complaint than a real question. For this reason it may be better translated as a statement: “Our kinsmen from Judah have taken you from us…” or “Our brothers from the tribe of Judah….”

David’s men: this will, of course, be translated “your men” in most languages, because the complaint is in the form of a direct quotation from the Israelite troops to David.

The threefold repetition of the word for king may again be intended to reinforce the notion that David is indeed the undisputed ruler, but such repetition may not serve the same purpose in the receptor language and may in fact sound very awkward.

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 .