They were bowmen, and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand …: Translators have to decide whether these warriors were only from the tribe of Benjamin or from all of the tribes listed in this chapter. Many versions take the first part of this verse as referring specifically to the warriors from the tribe of Benjamin (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). In keeping with what is more natural in English, Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version mention first the tribal affiliation of these warriors before going into detail about their abilities in warfare. This may also be more natural in a number of other languages. Since other Old Testament passages say that members of the tribe of Benjamin were able to use either hand (see Jdg 3.15; 20.16), it seems likely that verse 2a refers only to members of the tribe of Benjamin and not to all of the tribes. However, some versions connect verse 2a with verse 1 rather than with verse 2b so that verse 2a refers to all of those who came to David from all of the tribes listed. These versions then begin a new paragraph at verse 2b that refers only to the Benjaminites (so New Jerusalem Bible, Parole de Vie, Bible de Jérusalem, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Either way of understanding the Masoretic Text is possible.

Shoot arrows is literally “with the arrows with the bow.” In some languages it is more natural to say “send arrows” or “cause arrows to fly.” Sling stones is literally “with the stones.” Stones were thrown with slings, which were leather strings or straps that were attached to both sides of a wider leather band or pocket. A stone was put into the leather pocket, and the thrower held on to both straps while swinging it above his head. When the thrower let go of one strap, the stone would fly out of the sling at speeds of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour. For a good discussion on the “sling,” see WTH, pages 91-92|fig:WTH.sling.91-92.html.

Left-handedness was unusual in Israel. The Benjaminites were famous for being left-handed. Therefore it is possible to understand the Hebrew for with either the right or the left hand to mean that some were right-handed and others were left-handed. However, according to Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation and nearly all other versions, these Benjaminites were ambidextrous, able to shoot and throw with either hand. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh makes this quite clear by beginning this verse with “There were among them archers, ambidextrous when they threw stones and shot arrows….”

They were Benjaminites, Saul’s kinsmen is literally “from Saul’s brothers from Benjamin,” but the sense is “members of the same tribe of Benjamin as Saul.” New Jerusalem Bible says “Of Saul’s fellow-tribesmen from Benjamin,” and Contemporary English Version has “from King Saul’s own tribe of Benjamin.”

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 .