The king of Babylon: See verse 1. It is legitimate to refer to the king by name here if it seems more natural to do so in the receptor language (so Good News Translation).

This verse is taken by some commentators as a more detailed account of what has already been said in verse 14. The total number of the men of valor is said to be seven thousand while the craftsmen and the smiths numbered one thousand. It is, however, unclear exactly how these numbers fit with the total of “ten thousand” that is given in verse 14.

All of them strong and fit for war seems to describe the entire group, including the craftsmen and the smiths. While most versions take it in this way, New International Version and New Century Version restructure the verse in such a way as to limit this qualification to the men of valor. It is questionable, however, whether such restructuring is valid.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .