Adoram: the ancient Greek and Syriac translations suggest the name “Adoniram.” Also in 1 Kgs 4.6 and 5.14, the person holding this position under King Solomon is called Adoniram. Probably Adoram is simply a variant of the name Adoniram, so it is permissible to use the same name here as in 1 Kings.

In charge of the forced labor: this office is not mentioned in the list in chapter 8. The function may be expressed in some languages as “captain of those who worked against their will” or “chief of those who compelled other people to work.”

Recorder: see 8.16, where the same name is given for this office.

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 .