The structure of the first part of this verse may have to be changed in certain languages. Revised Standard Version reflects the order of the original, where the purpose of Joab’s action is given first. Good News Translation reverses this order.

Change the course of affairs: literally “revolve [or, reverse] the faces of the matter.” Anchor Bible attempts to retain something of the form while at the same time making some sense in English: “to put another face on the matter.” Compare also Revised English Bible, “to give a new turn to this affair.” The word that literally means “face” carries the idea of appearance. Joab certainly wanted to change the way David looked at the matter. And perhaps this is the basic meaning. New Jerusalem Bible translates “to approach the matter indirectly.” And New American Bible is similar with “to come at the issue in a round about way.”

My lord: it should be clear that this does not refer to Joab but to David. In most cases it will be translated by the pronoun “you” or something similar to “your majesty.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “my lord and king.”

The angel of God: see the comments on verse 17 above.

All things that are on the earth: the woman is probably not saying that David knows everything in the whole world. The word translated earth is frequently used to refer to the land of Israel. And that seems to be the most likely sense here, though many translations say “earth” (for example, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). New International Version is correct in translating “everything that happens in the land” (Revised English Bible is similar). But Contemporary English Version conveys the same meaning more naturally with “everything that goes on in this country.” Even this, of course, is probably an overstatement. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch avoids the exegetical difficulty by saying “my lord and king is as wise as God’s angel, nothing escapes him.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .