“daughter-towns.” The Hebrew text is just “daughters,” referring to small towns that are close to and supported by a “mother” town, which was generally a large and well-fortified town. E. Fox (The Schocken Bible) uses the translation “daughter-towns,” which catches the meaning well and is clear in English. In 2 Samuel 20:19, the city of Abel is referred to as a “mother.” Quite a few verses use the word “daughter” to refer to “daughter-towns” (cp. Josh. 15:47; 17:11, 16; Judg. 11:26; 1 Chron. 2:23; 7:28; 8:12; 2 Chron. 13:19).