He brought out the king’s son: If there is any doubt about the participants in this event, the pronoun he may be replaced by the proper name “Jehoiada” (Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or the phrase “the priest” (La Bible Pléiade). The king’s son should probably be replaced by “Joash,” or possibly the name “Joash” might be added before or after the king’s son.
Put the crown upon him: The use of the definite article with crown may suggest that this was the same crown used to symbolize the sovereignty of previous rulers of Judah, but it does not necessarily imply that this was a particular crown. In languages that have a special verb for the coronation of a king, it is appropriate to use it here.
Gave him the testimony: The meaning of the Hebrew noun rendered testimony is debated in this context. Some interpreters argue that in this context, the noun does not mean “testimony,” but rather comes from a Semitic root that means “to ornament.” Based on this interpretation, American Bible renders put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony as “placed the diadem and the jewels upon him.” Other interpreters note that 2 Sam 1.10 refers to a crown and a bracelet worn by King Saul. Based on this passage in 2 Samuel, some interpreters add one consonant to the beginning of the Hebrew noun for testimony to create the word “bracelet.” While this meaning is adopted by Jerusalem Bible, it does not appear in New Jerusalem Bible and it is found in only a few other modern versions (La Bible Pléiade, Maredsous).
The parallel passage in 2 Chr 23.11 has the testimony, and this is probably what should be translated here. This term refers to the set of rules and regulations under which the kings of Judah operated, understood as a covenant between God and the king. In some versions it is called “a copy of the agreement” (New Century Version) or “a copy of the covenant” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). This document may have included regulations like those outlined in Deut 17.14-20. Contemporary English Version speaks of “a copy of instructions for ruling the nation.”
They proclaimed him king: The pronoun they may refer to the priest and the guards or it may refer to the people in general.
Anointed him: For the verb anointed, see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.34. The verb is plural in Hebrew, but most likely the actual anointing was done by the priest, while the people signaled their approval. Compare 1 Kgs 1.39, where the priest Zadok anointed Solomon and the people said “Long live King Solomon!”
They clapped their hands: In the Old Testament, clapping is often associated with joy and approval (Psa 47.1; 98.8), but it sometimes has other meanings (Lam 2.15). Here the gesture clearly shows the pleasure and approval of those participating. In languages where the clapping of hands conveys a different meaning, translators may consider a more generic rendering of the meaning, such as “they showed their approval” or “they demonstrated their consent.” The implied subject of the verb clapped is probably “all the people present.”
Long live the king!: See 1 Kgs 1.25, 34, and 39, where the name of the king is specifically given. Here the name is only implied. Compare also 1 Sam 10.24 and 2 Sam 16.16.
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 .