So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. According to Revised Standard Version, this conjunction functions here to introduce a summary that brings a conclusion to the preceding events. Other interpreters understand its function here to be temporal, introducing the next step in the events of bringing the ark to the Temple and finally into the Most Holy Place. Good News Translation, for example, translates the conjunction as “Then” (so also New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Bible en français courant). Others leave it untranslated (so Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, La Bible du Semeur, La Bible des Communautés Chrétiennes).
The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD …: The Hebrew verb here may be translated brought or “took,” depending on the context. In English brought usually implies that the motion is in the direction of the speaker. But the writer was obviously not in the Most Holy Place. Therefore in a language like English a verb such as “carried” (Good News Translation) is preferable here.
To its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place: All three of these phrases refer to the same place, yet each phrase focuses more specifically. To its place suggests that God had a specific location intended for the ark. NET Bible makes this clear by saying “to its assigned place.” In the inner sanctuary refers to the location (see the comments on 2 Chr 4.20), and the most holy place refers to the nature of the room (see the comments on 1 Chr 6.49 and 2 Chr 3.8). For these three phrases Bible de Jérusalem says “to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is to say, to the Holy of Holies.” Good News Translation has abbreviated the form of the Hebrew and eliminated the apparent repetition, but this simplification is not recommended.
Underneath the wings of the cherubim: See the comments on 1 Chr 13.6 and 2 Chr 3.10-13.
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 .