The king of Israel may be translated more specifically as “King Ahab” (Good News Translation) or simply “Ahab” (New Century Version, Contemporary English Version) in the receptor language if it is more natural to do so.
The elders of the land: For elders see the comments on 1 Kgs 8.1. The land refers to the country of Israel. Compare “the elders of the country” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “the older leaders of his country” (New Century Version).
Since the city of Samaria is under attack, the sense may be that Ahab called together the elders who were at that moment present inside the city walls. But such an interpretation is not likely what the author intended. On the other hand, it is possible that the siege was against the territory around Samaria and not yet directly against the city itself. If this was the situation, then elders from other parts of the country may have been able to enter the city. Most likely, however, this statement represents what Walsh (page 296) calls “a narrative flaw.” That is, the author has stated that the city was under siege and then states that the king called the elders from outside the city to come into the city, but the author does not worry about this inconsistency in the story.
Mark, now, and see: Mark … and see is literally “Know … and see.” This Hebrew idiom, which occurs several times in the Old Testament, including verse 22 of this chapter (where Revised Standard Version has “consider well”) and 2 Kgs 5.7, asks the hearer to pay close attention. Some possible models of translation are “You yourselves can see clearly” (Bible en français courant) and “See for yourselves” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Now renders the Hebrew particle of entreaty, which is often translated “I pray” or “please” (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.12 and 2.17).
He sent to me …: The words “a message” (Good News Translation) or “messengers” (Nouvelle Bible Segond) may be added according to the sense. In many languages some such addition will be required.
New Jerusalem Bible corrected the text of verse 3 to say that Ahab could keep his wives and children. Because of that change in the Hebrew text, New Jerusalem Bible has corrected verse 7 also to correspond to it. New Jerusalem Bible reads “He has already demanded my wives and my children, although I have not refused him my silver and gold.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text.
The reason that some interpreters have corrected the Masoretic Text in verses 3 and 7 is easy to understand. According to verse 3 in the Masoretic Text, Benhadad demands Ahab’s wives, children, gold, and silver. Ahab agrees to this demand in verse 4. Why, then, is Ahab now so angry in verse 7 since he has already agreed to give his wives, children, gold, and silver to Benhadad?
The end of verse 7 in the Septuagint reads “for he has sent to me for my wives, and for my sons, and for my daughters; my silver and my gold I did not withhold from him.” This suggests to some interpreters that Benhadad had initially demanded only Ahab’s money and not his wives and children, and Ahab had agreed. But now that Benhadad demands Ahab’s wives and children also, Ahab refuses to agree. On this assumption, the end of verse 3 is changed to read “your wives and your children are yours,” as in New Jerusalem Bible. Translators are, however, not advised to follow New Jerusalem Bible.
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 .