12:38 All these men were warriors who were ready to march. 1 They came to Hebron to make David king over all Israel by acclamation; 2 all the rest of the Israelites also were in agreement that David should become king. 3
1 tc Heb “all these [were] men of war, helpers of the battle line.” The present translation assumes an emendation of עֹדְרֵי (’odÿrey, “helpers of”) to עֹרְכֵי, (’orÿkhey, “prepared for”).
2 tn Heb “with a complete heart they came to Hebron to make David king over all Israel.”
3 tn Heb “and also all the rest of Israel [was of] one mind to make David king.”
4 tn Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result: “so it might become a reality.”
5 tn Heb “so it might be established.”
6 tn Heb “and your name might be great permanently.” Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav conjunctive indicates purpose/result (parallel to the previous purpose/result clause): “[so]…you might gain lasting fame.”
7 tn Heb “saying.” The words “as people” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
8 tc Heb “the
9 tn Heb “the house of David.”