And translates the Hebrew verbal transition marker that is sometimes rendered “And it happened.” It is left untranslated here by most modern versions.

At the beginning of their dwelling there …: It becomes clear later on (verse 33) that the newcomers never did honor Yahweh single-mindedly. But apparently their initial disregard for him was more complete than later on when they at least professed a partial allegiance to him. Some may prefer to begin this verse with “When they first came to live in the land…” or “When they first settled there…” (Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible).

They did not fear the LORD: Most modern versions translate this clause with something like “they did not venerate the LORD” (New American Bible) or “they did not pay homage to the LORD” (Revised English Bible). The verb fear refers to worship rather than to being afraid (see the comments on verse 7 and 1 Kgs 8.40).

Therefore translates the common Hebrew conjunction. The context requires a logical connector of this type. The writer clearly believed that Yahweh sent lions to attack and kill some of the new inhabitants of the land because they did not worship him (see Lev 26.21-22). This logical relationship should be reflected in translation.

The LORD sent lions among them: Natural disasters such as this are often interpreted in Scripture as punishment from God. In some languages a causative verb form will be the most natural way to render this expression; for example, “the LORD caused lions to prowl among them” or “… made lions attack them.”

Which killed some of them is literally “and they were killing among them.” The verbal construction used in Hebrew may focus on the beginning of the action, so it may be rendered “and they began killing some of 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 .