Benjaminites: literally “children of Benjamin” (Fox). This word seems to imply that it was primarily the men of the tribe of Benjamin who remained with Abner at this point (see verse 15), although other groups are mentioned in 2.9. See also the references to “Benjaminites” in 1 Sam 9.1, 21; 22.7.

Became one band: the basic meaning of the word translated band is “bundle” or “knot.” The Benjaminite soldiers formed a close-knit group around their leader and prepared to defend themselves. Revised English Bible has “forming themselves into a single group,” while Knox has “stood gathered in one mass.”

A hill: presumably the hill on which Abner and his forces gathered was not the same as the one on which Joab, Abishai, and their soldiers had arrived (the hill of Ammah in the previous verse). The picture therefore is of two groups of soldiers on different but nearby hills shouting at each other. This image will determine the kinds of verbs that are used in the following verses as these men shout to each other.

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 .