Then: the common conjunction may be adequately translated here by simply beginning a new paragraph and section. After the parenthetical explanation of the death of Ahithophel, the writer returns to the main story line concerning David. Anderson adds the words “some time later” in parentheses in this verse, to show that the events described here did not follow immediately.

This verse serves to situate the opposing armies. David and his men were at Mahanaim (see 2.8, 12, and 29). This town was located in the territory of Gad on the opposite side of the Jordan River from Jerusalem. Meanwhile Absalom and his forces are said to have crossed the Jordan. The two groups were therefore both on the east side of the river, about forty kilometers (or, twenty-five miles) apart. It is uncertain whether the writer intends his readers to see these two events as being simultaneous. In the middle of the verse Anderson adds, using parentheses, “when (some time later)” as an introduction to the location of Absalom and his men. Some scholars feel that it would have taken Absalom considerably longer to get his forces together than for David to arrive at Mahanaim. It is therefore perhaps a good idea to indicate the passage of an indefinite amount of time between the two events.

All the men of Israel: this refers to the whole military force that was with Absalom and not literally the entire people of Israel. As noted in chapters 15 and 16, some interpreters consider the term Israel here in this part of 2 Samuel to be a reference to the northern tribes only. For this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “all the men of the north.” But see the comments on 15.2.

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 .