The writer omits the details given in 1 Kgs 1.1-40 and simply states that when David was very old, Solomon became king. The death of David and the anointing of Solomon as king are told in 1 Chr 29.22-30.

When David was old and full of days is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. These words recall those concerning Abraham (Gen 25.8), Isaac (Gen 35.29), Gideon (Jdg 8.32), and Job (Job 42.17). Good News Translation has simply “When David was very old,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh uses an idiomatic expression, saying “When David reached a ripe old age.” Compare also “When David was old and approaching the end of his life” ( NET Bible).

He made Solomon his son king over Israel: Instead of the verb made, some languages may have special terms to speak of the transition from one king, or chief, to another, such as “named,” “designated” (Bible en français courant), or “established” (Parole de Vie, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

Good News Translation takes this verse as the conclusion of the section beginning in the previous chapter. However, if it is taken with the following verses (so Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), it should probably be seen as a heading for what follows in chapters 23–29. Some interpreters consider both verses 1 and 2 as the heading for chapters 23–29.

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 .