Now therefore thus shall you say to my servant David is literally “And now thus….” These words provide a logical transition to introduce the specific message to David after having set the stage with the background information just given. Bible en français courant begins with “This is why….” Good News Translation has a paragraph break here, which is helpful.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: This direct quotation may have to be made indirect in some languages following the model of Good News Translation, which says “that I, the LORD Almighty, say to him.” For the LORD of hosts, see the comments on 1 Chr 11.9. The same title is also used in verse 24.

I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep: See 1 Sam 16.11. The Hebrew pronoun for I is emphatic here; compare “I, I took you from the pasture…” (Knoppers). Similarly, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translates “It is I who took you from the pasture….” This emphasis should be retained in the receptor language where it is natural to do so. Of course, David was not simply following the sheep. The meaning is “from your work as a shepherd” ( NET Bible). This phrase may also be translated “from looking after sheep” (Good News Translation) or “from tending sheep” (Moffatt).

That you should be prince over my people Israel is the purpose for which David was taken away from the work of tending sheep. The receptor language translation should make it clear that he was removed from one kind of work in order to fulfill another. For prince see the comments on 1 Chr 5.2. This word has been translated “leader” (Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “chief” (Bible de Jérusalem, La Bible du Semeur, Osty-Trinquet). In this context it may be best rendered “ruler” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible). New Century Version uses the word “king,” which may be saying too much at this point.

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 .