This verse serves to introduce soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin who joined David’s army. But it also serves as an introduction to all of verses 1-22. Now translates the common Hebrew conjunction, which introduces a new topic here. Some translations show this transition by beginning a new section.

These are the men who came to David at Ziklag: These are the men may be rendered “these are the names of the men” or “this is a list of the soldiers.” However, since the list does not actually begin until verse 3, some translations omit this phrase here in verse 1. Ziklag was located about 17.5 kilometers (11 miles) southeast of Gaza. It was the town that the Philistine king of Gath had assigned to David (see 1 Sam 27.5-6). Since David was staying in Ziklag before he began to rule in Hebron, these events happened before those of chapter 11. In some languages it will be advisable to add the classifier term “town,” saying “the town of Ziklag” (Contemporary English Version).

While he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish is literally “while he was shut up because of Saul….” The Hebrew verb here places the focus on the fact that David’s movement was restricted by Saul. New Century Version says “when David was hiding from Saul son of Kish,” but this rendering shifts the focus too much to what David did. Translations that better express the sense of the Hebrew include “while he was still held in check by Saul the son of Kish” (American Bible) and “when, owing to Saul the son of Kish, he had no freedom of movement” (Moffatt). In languages where passive verbs are rare or unnatural in such a context, another possible model is “while Saul the son of Kish was preventing him from going where he wanted to go.” New English Bible and Revised English Bible say “while he was banned from the presence of Saul son of Kish,” taking this clause to mean that David was excluded from Saul’s royal court (similarly New International Version). But few versions follow this interpretation.

The Hebrew text identifies Saul as the son of Kish. Since this verse begins a new chapter, Good News Translation identifies Saul as “King Saul.” Even though Good News Translation omits the words the son of Kish, there is no good reason for doing so.

And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war: Who helped him in war is literally “helpers of war.” Some other possible translations of this phrase are “who gave support in battle” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) and “who fought beside David in battle” (New Living Translation).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .