So: While Good News Translation omits the conjunction at this point, many languages will require some kind of logical connector similar to what is found in Revised Standard Version.

A man on horseback went: The verb went is modified by the words on horseback, so in some languages this may be rendered “a messenger rode out on a horse” (similarly Good News Translation). But see the comments on the word horseman in verse 17.

To meet him: It will be important in some languages to replace the pronoun him with the proper name “Jehu” since this is the meaning.

Thus says the king, “Is it peace?”: The quotation within another quotation here will almost certainly be rendered indirectly in many languages; for example, Contemporary English Version translates “King Joram wants to know if this is a friendly visit.” This wording also lets the reader know which king is involved. For the question Is it peace? see the previous verse.

What have you to do with peace?: This rather awkward-sounding question is really a way of telling the messenger that matters of peace and war are not his concern. In some languages a question may be used to fulfill this function; for example, New Living Translation says “What do you know about peace?” But in other cases a more direct statement like that of Good News Translation will convey the meaning. Other possibilities avoiding the question format are “Peace is not your concern” and “It is not for you to worry about peace!”

Turn round and ride behind me: Jehu orders the messenger to fall into line as if he were one of his own soldiers. Some translations use military terminology, saying “Fall in behind me” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible). The text leaves implicit the fact that the messenger obeyed this command. But the context makes it clear that this was the case. If the receptor language requires it, this implied information may be made explicit in translation.

The watchman reported: The sentinel who had been looking from the watchtower sees that the messenger has fallen into line with Jehu’s troops and reports this to King Joram. If the receptor language requires a clear statement as to whom the report was given, it will be legitimate to say “the watchman reported to the king.” Contemporary English Version makes it clear that the message is directed to the king by beginning it with the direct address, “Your Majesty.”

The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back: Once again, the direct quotation of the text may be more naturally rendered indirectly in certain languages. In those cases the following models may be helpful: “the lookout reported to King Joram that the messenger had met Jehu and his troops but that he was not returning” and “the sentinel told King Joram that the messenger was staying with Jehu’s soldiers after having met them.”

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