And when it was told David: As in 1 Chr 19.5, this passive expression will have to be made active in many languages by saying “When David heard about this” (New Century Version) or “When someone told David about it.” And in some cases the meaning of the pronoun it will have to be made clearer; for example, Contemporary English Version says “David found out what the Syrians were doing.”

He gathered all Israel together: In this context all Israel refers to the fighting forces of Israel and not to every Israelite including women and children. This should probably be made clear in translation as Good News Translation has done by saying “the Israelite troops.” Bible en français courant is similar with “all the Israelite army.”

And crossed the Jordan: David and his troops went across the Jordan River, going from the west side to the east side. This is an indication that David was taking the war into enemy territory.

And came to them: The pronoun them refers to the Syrians. The parallel text in 2 Sam 10.17 says that David and his army came to Helam. Helam was most likely a town east of the Sea of Galilee, although some think it was a region in the northern Transjordan. Some interpreters think that the text here in 1 Chronicles originally read “Helam” (helaʾmah in Hebrew) rather than to them (ʾalehem) and that the Masoretic Text here contains an error. Knoppers, for example, translates “and came to Helam.” Menge places “to Helam” within parentheses, indicating that although these words are not in the Masoretic Text, he thinks this is what the text originally said.

And drew up his forces against them: These words are not in the ancient Syriac translation, and some scholars think that these words were accidentally added to the text by dittography (that is, reduplication). For this reason they are omitted by New American Bible. But more likely a scribe accidentally omitted these words by homoioteleuton (that is, skipping words that have a similar spelling). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text here, and recommends that it be followed by translators.

And when David set the battle in array against the Syrians: The Septuagint, in agreement with the parallel text in 2 Sam 10.17, says that the Syrians lined up for battle against David and his troops. Revised English Bible follows the Septuagint here, saying “The Aramaeans likewise took up positions facing David.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, claiming that the textual evidence does not support the Septuagint, and claiming also that the author of 1 Chronicles wanted to give David the military initiative of attacking rather than the Syrians as in 2 Samuel.

They fought with him may be rendered “the Syrians attacked” (Bible en français courant) or “the Syrians began fighting.” Contemporary English Version begins a new paragraph here with the words “Soon after the fighting began…” and continues with the sense of verse 18.

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 .