The rest of his men he put in charge of Abishai his brother: While it is not specifically stated, the text implies that Joab would go with the first group. This is why it was necessary for him to choose someone else to be in command of the troops that would stay to fight the Ammonites. Instead of beginning this clause with the direct object the rest of his men, it will be more natural in many languages to turn the clause around and say “he made his brother, Abishai, commander of the remaining forces” or “he appointed Abishai, his brother, to take control of the troops that he left behind.” He put in the charge of is literally “he put in the hand of.” Bible en français courant and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible use the verb “confided” to translate this idea. Abishai (literally “Abshai” in Hebrew) was last mentioned in 1 Chr 18.12. In some languages it is necessary to specify whether Abishai was the younger brother or the older brother. Unfortunately, the Hebrew text never states clearly whether Joab or Abishai is older, but perhaps it may be assumed that Joab was the older brother since he was the commander of David’s troops. Additionally, Joab is usually mentioned first where the two names occur together in lists.

And they were arrayed against the Ammonites: The pronoun they refers to Abishai and his troops. As in verse 9, the Hebrew verb rendered were arrayed involves the arrangement of a military force for battle against an enemy. While the verb form is the same here as in verse 9, Revised Standard Version translates it as a passive in this case. However, they were arrayed is more accurately translated “they arrayed themselves” (New American Standard Bible) or, in a more dynamic rendering, “They organized for combat” (God’s Word).

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 .