The structure of this verse in Hebrew as reflected by Revised Standard Version may prove to be awkward in many languages. The prepositional phrase from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer comes first but is dependent on the main clause that follows. In Good News Translation the main clause has been moved up to the beginning of the sentence.

Betah: New International Version has “Tebah” in harmony with 1 Chr 18.8, which actually has “Tibhath,” but which is also transformed to “Tebah” by New International Version. New American Bible and Osty-Trinquet also have “Tebah” here but do not alter the parallel in Chronicles. While the consonants may have been reversed during the process of transmission, the textual evidence for this is scant, and the problem is not even dealt with by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project or Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. Translators should probably follow the reading Betah.

Berothai: the 1 Chronicles (18.8) account has “Cun” at this point. But there is no justification for harmonizing the two accounts. Translators should have Berothai in this verse.

Bronze: or “copper” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Since bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, it is possible that the purer meaning (“copper”) is intended here. See the comments at 1 Sam 17.5, where the same term is used. Bible du rabbinat français also has “copper,” although most translations say “bronze,” which would have been stronger than copper.

At the end of this verse, the Septuagint has the following addition: “with that Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the basin and all the utensils.” These words seem to have been added to harmonize the text with that in 1 Chr 18.8. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, which is followed by nearly all translations consulted.

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 .