But Joab said …: But renders the common Hebrew conjunction. It is so translated because Joab’s response indicates an objection to David’s command. However, because the first part of Joab’s answer sounds positive, it may be better to avoid using the contrasting conjunction But until the middle of the direct quotation. This would mean introducing the question Are they not…? with the conjunction. Since Joab speaks in response to what David has just said, the verb said may be rendered “answered” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible) or “replied” (American Bible, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). The main point of this verse is that Joab attempts to make David change his mind about taking the census. He does so by asking a series of questions after having first expressed his sincere desire that the people of Israel should become much more numerous.

May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are!: Joab initially agrees with the spirit of David’s proposal by indicating a desire to see God “increase the number of his people” (New Revised Standard Version). In this context the Hebrew noun translated people probably should be translated “army,” as it is in 1 Chr 21.2; for example, NET Bible renders this whole clause as “May the LORD make his army a hundred times larger!”

Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants?: Joab’s first question implies that a census is not necessary since the people/army are already David’s subjects, submissive to his rule. It is at this point that many languages will require a contrasting conjunction such as “But.” This question is clearly rhetorical. Some translations change it to a statement (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). A good model for some languages may be “My master the king, all the Israelites are your servants” (New Century Version). Joab addresses King David in the third person here as my lord the king and my lord. Good News Translation changes to the second person but maintains the respect of the Hebrew by saying “Your Majesty” (similarly Bible en français courant). The Hebrew word for servants may also be rendered “subjects” (New American Bible) or “slaves” (Revised English Bible).

The first part of Joab’s response may be translated “Even if the LORD should increase his people a hundredfold, would not your majesty still be king and all the people your slaves?” (Revised English Bible).

Why then should my lord require this?: This seems to be a real question. Contemporary English Version expresses it as “Why do you need to know how many soldiers there are?”

Why should he bring guilt upon Israel?: This last question may be rhetorical, that is, Joab is not really asking for information. Revised English Bible changes this question into a statement, saying “It will only bring guilt on Israel.” The census would make the Israelites guilty of sin because it showed a lack of trust in God.

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 .