Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie, like Good News Translation, have combined verses 9 and 10 and restructured the information in them. The Hebrew text states first that the LORD was angry with Solomon and then tells why. Good News Translation reverses this to tell first what Solomon did and then states that “the LORD was angry with Solomon.”

His heart had turned away: See the comments on verse 2.

Who had appeared to him twice: This refers to the appearances at Gibeon (1 Kgs 3.4-14) and after the construction of the Temple (1 Kgs 9.1-9).

Had commanded him concerning this thing: This thing refers to the matter of worshiping gods other than Yahweh, as the following clause indicates. Moffatt says “given him this order.” It might even be legitimately translated “… this commandment.”

Revised Standard Version reflects the structure of the Hebrew in verse 10, but such a literal translation results in an awkward English structure. New Living Translation translates the first half of verse 10 as “He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods.”

He did not keep what the LORD commanded: As indicated elsewhere, the verbal expression did not keep, in such a context as this, means “did not obey.” Certain languages will use a verb like “refused” or “rejected” to convey this idea.

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 .