As already indicated, verses 11-18 in the Hebrew form a single long sentence, dealing with David’s plans for the Temple. This verse mentions his plans for the personnel of the Temple. Good News Translation begins a new sentence here and adds the words “David also gave him the plans” in order to make the connection of this verse to the preceding verses clear. Revised English Bible similarly begins with “He gave directions,” and Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje says “David also gave to Solomon in writing the way.”

For the divisions of the priests and of the Levites: The generally accepted interpretation of the Hebrew here is that it refers to the organization of the priests and Levites into their various subgroups in order to serve different shifts at the Temple (see chapters 23–24). However, some interpreters have understood the Hebrew word translated divisions as referring to the rooms where the priests and Levites were to live, that is, the division of their housing. According to this understanding, these words give a further description of “all the surrounding chambers” (verse 12). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, for example, says “and also the rooms for the shifts of the priests and the Levites.” Since the preceding verses refer to the building of storerooms, courtyards and other structures, the interpretation reflected in Biblia Dios Habla Hoy is certainly possible.

The relationship between the divisions of the priests and of the Levites and all the work of the service in the house of the LORD is clearly expressed in Good News Translation as “organizing the priests and Levites to perform their duties, to do the work of the Temple.” Compare “the divisions of priests and Levites for all the work of the service of the House of the LORD” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

All the vessels for the service in the house of the LORD: Vessels translates a Hebrew noun with a wide range of uses, referring to things such as furniture, musical instruments, and weapons. Here it refers to the utensils used in the activities of the Temple, such as bowls and cups. New American Bible says “all the liturgical vessels of the house of the LORD,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “all the liturgical objects to be used in the house of Yahweh.” What plans did David give regarding all the vessels? According to Good News Translation and Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, he gave plans for how “to take care of” the utensils. But more likely in this context, the sense is “he gave specifications for the items in the LORD’s Temple which were to be used for worship and sacrifice” (New Living Translation). That is, he did not give instructions here regarding their use and care but rather instructions regarding how much gold and silver was to be used to make the various utensils (see verses 14-18).

International Children’s Bible divides this verse into three sentences, saying “David gave Solomon directions for the groups of the priests and Levites. David told him about all the work of serving in the Temple of the Lord. He told him about the things to be used in the Temple service.” Such a translation is too general, especially in the third sentence, but it may provide a model for others in terms of simplifying the verse.

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 .