So shall their blood come back upon the head of Joab … and his descendants: Solomon’s words regarding Joab echo those of David in 2 Sam 3.29. The notion of the blood of the murdered people returning to the head of the murderer and his descendants is, of course, not to be taken literally. The meaning is that the murderer (Joab) and his descendants will be held responsible and punished for the killings that had occurred.

To his descendants, and to his house: These two expressions do not seem to be significantly different in meaning. It certainly does not refer to two entirely different groups. So the two may be translated by a single expression in the receptor language, such as “to his descendants” or “to those born from him.”

His throne refers to “his kingdom” (Contemporary English Version). This may also be expressed as “David’s descendants who sit on his throne” (Good News Translation) or “the kings who govern after him” (Parole de Vie).

In contrast with the fate of the murderer, the innocent party (David) and his descendants (including Solomon) would have peace. The Hebrew noun rendered peace in Revised Standard Version often expresses more than merely the absence of war (see the comments on “peaceably” in verse 13). It refers to wholeness and fulfillment. For this reason other renderings such as “success” (Good News Translation), “prosperity” (Revised English Bible), and “good fortune” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) are better translations in English in this context.

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 .