But the king’s word prevailed against Joab: But renders the same common Hebrew conjunction as at the beginning of verse 3. Here it introduces the response of King David, which is contrary to the implicit advice of Joab. Other possible renderings are “However” (New American Bible, American Bible), “Nevertheless” (Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Nueva Versión Internacional), and “Notwithstanding.” The king’s word prevailed against Joab is literally “the word of the king was stronger than Joab.” Other ways of expressing this clause include “Joab was overruled by the king” (Revised English Bible), “the king enforced his order on Joab” (New Jerusalem Bible), “David did not change his mind and he ordered Joab to carry out his orders” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), and “the king made Joab obey the order” (Good News Translation; similarly Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje).

So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel: So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it introduces the logical result to David’s order. Joab leaves David’s presence and begins the work of the census as he was commanded to do. According to 2 Sam 24.8, this trip throughout all Israel lasted nine months and twenty days. But this detail is not a part of the account in 1 Chronicles.

And came back to Jerusalem is literally “and came to Jerusalem.” Since Joab began in Jerusalem and finished in Jerusalem, the Hebrew verb for “came” is better rendered came back or “returned” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation).

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 .