They went to Ophir: The very general term, went, may be translated “sailed” (Good News Translation, New Century Version, New International Version) in this context.

The location of Ophir is unknown, though probably it was somewhere in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula. It was clearly a large area or nation and not a city, as indicated by the translations “land of Ophir” (Good News Translation) and “country of Ophir” (Contemporary English Version). Ophir was famous for its gold (Job 28.16; Psa 45.9; Isa 13.12). In 10.11-12 more information is given about these ships that went to Ophir.

Four hundred and twenty talents: See the discussion on “talent” in verse 14. Many modern versions give literal translations of the Hebrew here (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), but it will be better to give the equivalent amount of gold in the receptor language. The equivalent of four hundred and twenty talents is “about sixteen tons” (Good News Translation). The precise amount is uncertain, and for this reason other versions vary; for example, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “more than four tons” while Bible en français courant has “more than twelve tons.” Even if we consider the modern differences between the standard American ton and the metric ton, translations differ because scholars do not all agree on the weight of the talent.

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 .