The people of Israel is literally “the sons of Israel” (so Reina-Valera revisada). Compare “the children of Israel” (King James Version). See the comments on this expression at 1 Kgs 6.1.
Mustered: See the comments on this verb in verse 15.
Were provisioned translates a Hebrew verb meaning “to be provided” and the implied object is probably “food.” This same verb occurs in an active form in 1 Kgs 4.7, where Revised Standard Version translates it “provided food” and “to make provision.” The sense of the text is not that the Israelite soldiers were fed immediately before going into battle (as Parole de Vie might be understood) but rather that they were given provisions that they would take with them. Some interpreters, however, think that the Hebrew root here in verse 27 is a different verb from the one in 4.7 and that it is a military term, meaning “to be counted.” For this reason Revised English Bible renders this verb “formed into companies.” The Septuagint, which does not have this verb, is followed by De Vries.
The passive construction of the Hebrew in the first part of this verse (the people of Israel were mustered, and were provisioned) is reflected by both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, but such wording will be problematic for certain languages. In order to make these statements active, it will be necessary to make the agent explicit. The writer’s use of this passive construction may imply that God was the agent behind the actions of mustering and providing for the people (see the comments on verse 30). It was no doubt the king who was God’s agent in ensuring that his troops were assembled and given the necessary provisions to go into battle. Therefore, it will be legitimate to translate “King Ahab gathered his soldiers together and gave them the things they needed for the battle.”
The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats: How is the word two to be understood? Why did the writer not say “… like a little flock of goats?” It may well be that the Israelite troops had been divided into two divisions. Parole de Vie, in fact, makes this interpretation explicit by saying “The Israelites were divided into two groups that looked like two small flocks of goats.” Bible en français courant similarly says “They camped in two groups, facing the Syrians. They looked like two small flocks of goats.”
Little flocks translates a Hebrew noun that occurs only here in the Old Testament. The Septuagint translates it as “little flocks.” The exact meaning is uncertain, but the noun may come from a root meaning “to cause a premature birth.” If so, then the reference is to young goats that were born prematurely and are therefore incapable of defending themselves. For two little flocks of goats, Revised English Bible says “a pair of new-born goats” and Anchor Bible translates “two exposed (flocks of) goats.” Whatever the precise meaning of the Hebrew noun, the general sense is clear from the context: the Israelite army appears small and weak, while the Syrian army is large and powerful.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .