In the first part of this verse, Revised Standard Version follows the Masoretic Text, while Good News Translation (also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible) follows the longer text of the Septuagint. It is possible that the Septuagint contains a later addition to the original text, but it is more likely that the Hebrew text is the result of an accidental omission by a scribe whose eyes jumped from the first “Gilgal” in this verse to the second. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Septuagint reading. Translators should therefore follow the textual decision of Good News Translation rather than that of Revised Standard Version.

Arose: see the comments on this verb in 9.3.

Gibe-ah of Benjamin: see the comment on 10.5.

The people here, as often in 1 and 2 Samuel, refers to the army or the “troops.” See the comments on verses 2 and 4 above.

The verb rendered numbered has a wide range of meanings, but in this context the verb means something like “counted” (New Revised Standard Version), “to call up for military duty,” “to inspect the troops” (Good News Translation), or “to pass the forces [or, soldiers] in review” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Bible en français courant, and New Jerusalem Bible). It represents the same Hebrew verb as translated “mustered” in 11.8.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .