Now renders the Hebrew verbal transition that is sometimes translated “And it came to pass” or “And it came about” (New American Standard Bible). But most modern English versions omit it since the same function is performed by the use of section headings and/or the introduction of a new paragraph. It serves only to show that a new topic is now under consideration.

When David dwelt in his house: Since this verse is the beginning of a new chapter and a new section, Good News Translation identifies David more specifically as “King David.” In some languages it is more natural to refer to the house where a king lives as the “palace” (Good News Translation, Moffatt, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Others may refer to it as the “big house” or the “king-house.” David’s palace was built of cedar wood from Lebanon supplied by Hiram, the ruler of Tyre (see 2 Sam 5.11). Some translators may wish to begin this verse with something like “After King David had moved into his palace.”

David said to Nathan the prophet: Even though the Hebrew text repeats the proper name David here, it will be more natural to translate this second occurrence with a pronoun in most languages. For Nathan see the introductory comments on this section [1 Chr 17.1-15].

Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar: The Hebrew focusing particle rendered Behold is often left untranslated. However, some versions attempt to convey its meaning by starting with the imperative “Look” (New Century Version) or “See” (New American Bible). Its purpose here is to draw attention to what David is about to say. A number of other versions attempt to convey this meaning by beginning the sentence with the word “Here” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible).

For cedar see the comments on 1 Chr 14.1. It was customary in the Near East to build palaces and temples of cedar because cedar was durable against rot and insects and could be polished to a high sheen (see 2 Sam 5.11; 1 Kgs 5.6). New Living Translation highlights the fact that this kind of wood is “beautiful.” In languages where the cedar tree does not exist, the term may either be borrowed or be translated in a more generic fashion. A house of cedar may be rendered “a palace made from cedar” ( NET Bible), “a house made of durable wood,” or “a beautiful strong wooden house.” Some interpreters argue that the word house should be read as definite in Hebrew rather than indefinite, as in most versions. If this interpretation is followed, then the reference is more clearly to David’s palace, which was “the house of cedar” in Jerusalem.

But the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent: See 2 Sam 6.17; 1 Chr 15.1. David was concerned that, while he was living in luxury in his palace, the Covenant Box was left in a mere tent. The Hebrew word translated tent usually means “tent curtains” (made from goat hair). In this context it may simply refer to the tent itself, but some translations retain the idea of tent curtains (so Moffatt, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Knoppers). The Hebrew here says that the tent was under the curtains, while the parallel text in 2 Sam 7.2 says that the tent was inside tent curtains. Perhaps the intended sense is that the tent was under a tent curtain with no sides.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .