Then the Spirit came upon Amasai: Revised Standard Version capitalizes the noun Spirit (also New International Version, English Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible). But since this is not a reference to the Holy Spirit as part of the Christian Trinity, but a reference to a spirit sent by God or to God himself, it will be better to say “God’s spirit” (Good News Translation) or “the spirit” (New Revised Standard Version). The Hebrew noun for Spirit does not have a definite article here, so some translations say “a spirit” (Revised English Bible). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, in fact, takes this as a reference to the human spirit, translating the Spirit came upon as “seized by enthusiasm,” but in this context it seems clearly to refer to a message from God, so in English the sense is better expressed as “God’s spirit.” The Hebrew verb translated came upon is literally “clothed,” as in Jdg 6.34 regarding Gideon (so English Standard Version, American Bible, La Bible Pléiade, Braun). The sense is that God himself was controlling the speech of Amasai. Some other translations of this verb are “took possession of” (Revised English Bible), “took control of” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible), and “seized” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Parole de Vie). The New Century Version rendering “entered” is inadvisable in an Old Testament context. Some interpreters think that Amasai is the same as the person called “Amasa” in 2 Sam 17.25 and 20.4, but this is not certain.

Chief of the thirty: Good News Translation and New Living Translation add that Amasai “later” became commander of the Thirty. However, the Masoretic Text says only that he was the leader of the Thirty. According to the Good News Translation translation of 1 Chr 11.20, Abishai was the leader of the Thirty, so the translators of Good News Translation assumed that Amasai must have later become their leader.

The Masoretic Text says that Amasai was leader of the “thirty” (sheloshim), but the reading in the margin of the Masoretic Text says that he was leader of the “elite guards” (shalishim). As in 1 Chr 11.11, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament suggests that the reading in the margin should be followed here, giving a {C} rating to that reading. Amasai, like Jashobeam, was a member of the Rosh-ha-Shalish, but the author of 1 Chronicles did not understand the sense of Rosh-ha-Shalish, so he changed the singular shalishi to the plural shalishim, with the sense “head of the elite guards.”

And he said: These words are not in the Masoretic Text, but they are clearly implied. The Septuagint, followed by Revised English Bible, includes them, and even some more literal versions supply them (so King James Version, New American Standard Bible).

We are yours, O David; and with you, O son of Jesse! is literally “To you, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse.” There is no first person plural pronoun in the Hebrew, but nearly all translations add the pronoun We, as the context seems to require. In languages that have inclusive and exclusive pronouns, the exclusive form should be used here since it involves a commitment to David to whom Amasai is speaking on behalf of his fellow tribesmen from Judah and Benjamin. The pronouns yours and you are singular in Hebrew, referring to David. The words David and son of Jesse are parallel in reference. Translators should ensure that readers do not get the mistaken idea that two different people are in view.

Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers!: The Hebrew word for peace refers not only to the absence of war, but also to prosperity and well-being. Amasai is asking God to make David and his followers successful. A possible model here is “May you and your followers always be successful!” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

For your God helps you: The Hebrew word rendered For may also be translated “Indeed” ( NET Bible). Revised Standard Version uses the present tense in this clause with the verb helps. Good News Translation also does with “God is on your side.” The present tense may be taken as having a habitual meaning, referring to something that happened repeatedly in the life of David. This verb may also be translated in the past perfect, “has helped” (Bible en français courant, Segond), referring to David’s escapes from Saul’s attempts to kill him.

Then David received them, and made them officers of his troops: The Hebrew has a preposition before the word translated officers. Most translations take this preposition to mean “as.” But American Bible translates the last sentence of this verse as “So David accepted them and placed them under the chiefs of the troop.”

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 .