Before verses 17-19 can be translated, a decision must be made concerning when the events of these verses happened. There are two possible interpretations:
(1) In verses 12-13 Abner sends messengers to talk to David; following that, he confers with the elders of the northern tribes to get their support (verses 17-19). Revised English Bible makes this interpretation even more definite by translating verse 12 “Abner sent envoys on his own behalf to David….” That is, the first time Abner contacts David, he is doing so on his own behalf, but then he contacts the elders of the northern tribes (verses 17-19) before he contacts David again in verse 20. It is then that he speaks on behalf of the northern tribes.
(2) These verses may be a flashback that tell what Abner did before he sent messengers to speak with David; that is, the events of verses 17-19 happen prior to the events of verses 12-13. This interpretation is followed by New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Osty-Trinquet, which use verbs in the pluperfect tense in verses 17-19: “Abner had conferred….” and “Abner had also spoken to the Benjaminites….” Anderson follows this same interpretation by inserting the words “In the meantime” at the beginning of verse 17.

The sequence of events is not clearly marked in the Hebrew. Either interpretation is possible, and translators may choose to follow the interpretation found in an existing translation that is widely used.

Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: literally “and the word of Abner was with the elders of Israel.” This seems to mean that Abner had a direct discussion with these leaders rather than “sent word to the elders” (New Revised Standard Version and similarly New Century Version). Either meaning, however, is possible.

Elders: these were the leaders of the people of Israel. See discussion of this term in 1 Sam 4.3 (compare also Ruth 4.2).

For some time past: literally “yesterday and three days ago,” but not even King James Version translates this literally. This unusual expression occurs also in Gen 31.2 and Exo 21.29, where Revised Standard Version renders it “before” and “in the past.” According to some interpreters this expression carries the idea “for a long time” (New American Bible as well as Good News Translation). The rendering of Knox, “it was but yesterday,” is not recommended, although Anchor Bible has “not long ago.” This expression seems to refer to the recent past rather than to the remote past, as noted in 1 Sam 4.7.

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 .