If Adonijah succeeded in becoming king, he would almost certainly kill Solomon and Solomon’s mother in order to make himself secure as the new king. Such a practice was common (see 1 Kgs 15.29 and 16.11, for example).

Now therefore come: This transition, which includes an imperative verb, is neglected by Good News Translation, but it is important. It is a way of urging Bathsheba to take immediate action. Knox captures the idea in ordinary language: “Act quickly.” New Century Version tries to include the meaning by the use of the adverb “strongly” in the expression “I strongly advise you.”

Let me give you counsel: In Hebrew this clause contains a particle of entreaty, which is often translated “I pray” or “please.” In certain languages the most natural equivalent of this will be “I beg you.”

The Hebrew word translated life twice in this verse is the word nephesh. Though it is often translated “soul” in traditional translations, the meaning is clearly “life” in this context.

Contemporary English Version provides a possible model for the entire verse:

• You and your son Solomon will be killed, unless you do what I tell you.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .