Sheba: the traditional Hebrew text has only the pronoun “he” (King James Version and New American Standard Bible) at this point, but it will be essential to use the name in most languages, as has been done in Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other modern translations. This is all the more important in versions that begin a new section at this point (New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible, for example). Most interpreters have understood the pronoun as referring to Sheba and make this name explicit (so, for example, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation). But, as below, the pronoun “he” in this verse should be understood as referring to Joab (so Bible en français courant), not to Sheba.

Passed through all the tribes of Israel: if the subject is Sheba, then the idea is that, in his effort to gain support for his revolt against David, Sheba went from one tribe to another proclaiming his message. There is no clear indication, however, that he was accompanied by large groups of men. But if, as seems more likely, the subject is Joab, the sense is that Joab sent from one tribe to another enlisting support against Sheba. In some languages it will be more natural to say “passed through the land of all the tribes of Israel.” Here, of course, Israel refers again specifically to the northern tribes, and for this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “the territory of the tribes of the north.”

Abel of Beth-maacah: the wording of Revised Standard Version suggests that the name of the town was Abel and that it was in a region called Beth-maacah. The text here says literally “to Abel and to Beth-maacah,” but in verse 15 it says “Abel of Beth-maacah.” And it is almost certain that the two refer to the same place. The more usual form “Abel-beth-maacah” is found in 1 Kgs 15.20. It is probably best to take it as a single place name composed of three parts rather than understanding it as containing a reference to a region that is otherwise unknown in the Old Testament. In verse 18 it is referred to as simply “Abel.” It was a fortified city very near to Dan in the extreme northern part of Israel, about forty kilometers (or twenty-five miles) north of the Lake of Galilee.

The Bichrites: the traditional Hebrew text has “the Berites” at this point, and this is followed by Goldman, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, New Century Version, New American Standard Bible, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible. But this name is unknown elsewhere in the Old Testament, and many interpreters think it makes much better sense to understand it as a reference to other descendants of Bichri who were the natural allies of Sheba (see verse 1). And, in fact, this is the solution followed in most modern translations. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project acknowledges that the text is corrupt at this point, and in the preliminary report it recommends the reading “all the chosen ones.” This proposed correction of the Masoretic Text requires small changes in the Hebrew noun and finds support in the reading of the Vulgate. This seems to be what Contemporary English Version follows when it translates “All of his best soldiers.”

In the final report, however, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends a different correction of the Masoretic Text, and this is the recommendation of this Handbook also. The initial consonant he is corrected to cheth and the vowels are changed, resulting in a change from the Bichrites to the participle “those joining.” The subject of the following verbs is then those who joined with Joab.

Followed him in: that is, into the town of Abel-beth-maacah. In many cases it will be necessary to translate “followed him into the town,” as Contemporary English Version has done.

Following the correction of the Hebrew text recommended by Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, the following translation of verses 14 and 15a may serve as a model:

• And Joab passed through all the territory of the northern tribes to the city of Abel Beth Maacah. And all the people of this territory joined him. And they assembled and followed Joab to the town. And they came and besieged the city….

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 .

Note that Good News Translation supplies information that the translators considered was understood in the original text, namely that Joab and his men learned of Sheba’s presence at the town of Abel-beth-maacah. And Revised Standard Version says And all the men who were with Joab came, though the Hebrew says only “and they came.” Revised Standard Version expands the text here in order to show that the subject of the verb came is Joab and his men and not the Bichrites, as in verse 14. If, however, the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project is followed for the translation of verse 14, then Joab’s men are already the subject of the verb in the previous verse. Whichever interpretation is followed, the translation of this verse must be consistent with the interpretation followed in verse 14.

In Abel of Beth-maacah: see the comments on this place name in the previous verse.

This verse describes the way in which a walled city was normally besieged during the time of David. The attacking soldiers built up mounds of earth against the city wall. At the same time they would pound on the wall with heavy poles in an attempt to make it fall down. The Hebrew participle translated they were battering is from a verb meaning “to spoil,” “to ruin,” or “to wipe out.” Some understand the means to be by undermining (so Holladay, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Good News Translation), and others, by battering (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible).

The word translated rampart usually refers to an outer embankment built up against a wall, but the word may in some instances refer to the wall itself. The preposition connected to this noun may be translated “against” or “beside.” The exact details are not clear, and the different translations reflect the uncertainty: “They heaped up a ramp towards the city and it stood already by the outer wall” (Anderson); “they threw up a ramp against the outer wall of the town” (New Jerusalem Bible). The general sense is clear, however; a mound of dirt and rocks was built up against the city wall as a ramp in order for the soldiers to attack the wall.

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 .

A wise woman: Joab had previously used a “wise woman” (14.2) to speak to David during the time when Absalom was in exile. In this case such a woman speaks to Joab. The presence of such “wise women” in stories like this reminds one of the personification of wisdom as a woman in Proverbs.

Hear! Hear! These words are intended to attract the attention of Joab’s soldiers, who would in turn get Joab to come near enough to the wall so that the woman could speak directly to him. Since this message had to bridge a considerable distance and compete with other noises, it had to be something that was “called out” (Anderson) or “shouted” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and New Century Version as well as Good News Translation).

The quotation of what the woman wanted someone to tell Joab is direct in Hebrew (and also in Revised Standard Version) but will probably be better translated indirectly in other languages, since it is a part of a larger quotation. If it is made indirect, the pronouns will have to be changed. A possible model is “Tell Joab to approach [the wall] so that I can talk to 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 .

He came near her: or “he approached her.” The pronoun he refers, of course, to Joab, and this should probably be made clear in translation as Good News Translation has done. And in view of the context it may be better to translate the words came near her as “came near to the wall where she was” or possibly, as in New International Version, “went toward her.”

The preliminary exchange is intended to assure the woman that she is really talking with Joab and not some lesser representative. Joab confirms that she is talking to the right person.

Your maidservant: in using this expression of herself, the woman shows great respect for and submission to Joab. Translators should look for their own ways of addressing a powerful person to indicate that they are respected. Good News Translation attempts to do this by adding the word “sir.” It is inadvisable in most cases to translate literally at this point.

It will be possible to translate the whole verse without recourse to direct quotations if this is more natural in the receptor language. The following model is suggested:

• And after Joab approached the woman, she asked if he was really Joab. He assured her that he was [Joab], and then she begged him to listen to what she had to say. He answered that he was listening.

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 .

Then: the common conjunction here shows that the story is proceeding to the next stage.

They were wont to say in old time: this is a way of introducing a proverbial statement. But it is rather archaic English. New Revised Standard Version says more naturally “They used to say in the old days.” The third person plural pronoun, They, refers to people in general, but in some languages it will be better translated “Our ancestors.” Others will say simply “People used to say….” Since this is part of a direct quotation that introduces another quotation, some translators will prefer to make this part indirect. This may be done by saying something like “Then the woman quoted an old saying [of the ancestors] ….” Another alternative will be to make the first part of the quotation direct and the proverb indirect. A possible model for this approach is “Then the woman said ‘People used to say that if someone wanted good advice they could get it at the town called Abel….’ ”

The meaning of the proverbial statement is summed up by Driver: “Abel was famed from of old for the wisdom of its inhabitants, hence a proverb arose advising people to consult them in any difficult undertaking.” By citing this proverb the wise woman suggests that Joab should listen to her advice.

At Abel: New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and Anchor Bible include a reference to the city of Dan along with Abel at this point. This is because these translations follow the ancient Greek version of verses 18 and 19 instead of the traditional Hebrew text. This, however, is not recommended to translators. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament acknowledges that the Masoretic Text may contain an error here, but the editors give a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text and suggest that the reading of the Septuagint is an attempt to correct a difficult Hebrew text.

So: this may be more clearly stated as “in this way” or “in that manner,” that is, with reference to the advice coming from the inhabitants of the city of Abel.

Settled a matter: some other ways of saying this are “palavers ended,” “solved problems,” or “resolved any dispute.” The final part of this verse and the beginning of the next verse are translated differently by those modern versions that follow the Septuagint (for example, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament recommends that the Masoretic Text, as reflected in Revised Standard Version, be followed here.

If the words of the woman (apart from the proverb) are made into an indirect quotation, translators will probably say something like “She went on to say that it was in this manner that people settled problems.”

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 .

Note immediately that the order of the elements in this verse is considerably changed in Good News Translation, which puts the parts about the greatness of the city of Abel at the beginning. Translators should consider which order sounds more natural in their own language.

I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel: the first person singular pronoun is used because the woman is speaking as a representative of her whole community. For this reason a wide variety of versions change to the plural pronoun “we” (Goldman, New International Version, and Contemporary English Version). Revised English Bible resolves the problem by translating “my town” in place of “I.” The point the woman was making was that Abel was a peace-loving city that had been loyal in Israel. The Hebrew word rendered faithful implies firmness and stability.

A city which is a mother in Israel: literally “a city and a mother in Israel” (King James Version). This means that the city of Abel was an important and respected one in Israel. There were probably a number of smaller surrounding villages that depended on Abel and, according to the more poetic Hebrew expression, these were called “daughters.” The idea of the “mother city” may be best translated “a very important city” or “a great and respected city.” New Jerusalem Bible has “a metropolis.” But in other cases it will be possible to retain the image and say “like a mother in Israel” (Contemporary English Version) or something similar, depending on how such an expression was understood.

Swallow up: the verbal expression here speaks of destruction, and it will be only rarely that a language will be able to translate this literally. Most languages will require a verb like “destroy” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “kill” (Revised English Bible), “spoil,” or “ruin.” Likewise it will not be natural in many languages to translate literally the Hebrew verb “kill” when speaking of a city. For this reason Revised Standard Version says destroy a city.

The heritage of the LORD: the same expression is used in 1 Sam 26.19, where it refers to the land of Israel as a whole. Here the city of Abel is characterized as belonging to the LORD because it was a part of Israel. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “the LORD’s possession.” Others may prefer to say “something that belongs to the LORD.”

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 .

Far be it from me: on this strong form of denial, see 1 Sam 2.30; 12.23; 20.9. And note also that the formula is used twice in succession here. This repetition makes the denial even stronger. In other languages expressions of denial may have a very different form. Some may say “Never in my life” or “Not at all,” or a threefold repetition of the word “No [or, Never].”

There is no expressed object for the verbal expressions swallow up or destroy, which are repeated from the previous verse, but it is quite clear that the city of Abel is what is intended. This may be supplied in those languages that require an object in such a context. The Hebrew verb rendered destroy is different from the verb so translated in the previous verse. The verb there means “to kill,” while the verb here means “to cause to spoil” or “to bring ruin on.”

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 .

Not true: literally “Not thus the matter.” In some languages it may be more natural to state clearly “It is not true that we want to destroy your city” or “We are not seeking to destroy your city.”

The order of the elements in the description of Sheba should follow whatever is most natural in the receptor language. Frequently the most natural order will be name, parentage, and then region of origin, although the Hebrew puts the last element first. These preliminary descriptive elements are then followed by an explanation of the reason why Sheba is being sought. Regarding the meaning and translation of the hill country of Ephraim, see the comments on this expression in 1 Sam 1.1.

Lifted up his hand: a literal rendering of this expression is not advisable in most cases. It refers, of course, to the rebellion that Sheba was seeking to lead against David. Some possible renderings are “is in rebellion” (Knox) or “has revolted” (New Jerusalem Bible). The same expression occurs in 18.28, and a similar expression, with a different Hebrew verb, is found in 1 Kgs 11.26.

Give up him alone: that is, “surrender that one man to me.” Instead of a general attack where many would be killed, the lives of others would be spared by simply handing over the one individual. Joab would then withdraw from the city, meaning that he would not carry through with his threat to destroy the whole city.

Behold: this particle is used at the beginning of the woman’s response to Joab in order to call attention to what she is about to say. While it is left untranslated in a number of versions (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, and Revised English Bible as well as Good News Translation), many languages have focusing particles that can be used quite naturally in contexts like this.

His head shall be thrown to you over the wall: the passive verb form will have to be replaced by an active formulation in many languages. The agent(s) performing the action is almost certainly the people of the city. So the best translation may be something like “we will throw his head over the wall to you….”

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 .