Verses 24-25 present another situation in which God’s people may turn to him in prayer. Such a situation does, in fact, occur in 2 Kgs 19.14-19 at the time of King Hezekiah. Solomon’s words reflect the curse of Deut 28.25, in which Israelite disobedience to God would result in defeat by their enemies. Among the Israelites, defeat in war was regarded as punishment for sin (Josh 7.11-12). These verses form a conditional sentence like the previous two verses. Verse 24 is the “if” part of this conditional sentence, and verse 25 is the “then” part of the sentence.
If thy people Israel are defeated before the enemy: The passive verb are defeated may be easily made active since the subject is clearly the enemy. In languages where passive forms are difficult, translators may say “When enemies defeat your people of Israel.” The enemy (literally “an enemy”) does not refer to a specific enemy, but rather to any nation that may act as an enemy toward Israel.
Because they have sinned against you: The text makes it clear that the reason for the defeat of the Israelites is their sin against Yahweh, and this should be made clear in translation.
When they turn again: The Hebrew verb here is the same one translated “repent” in other contexts (see verses 37-38), which is a possible translation in this context. The idea is that of turning back to God after having turned away from him.
In this context acknowledge thy name means more than merely citing the name of God. The sense is rather to “confess your name” (New International Version), “own thee openly” (Moffatt), or “renew their allegiance to you” ( NET Bible).
And pray and make supplication to thee in this house: The use of the nearly synonymous verbs pray and make supplication serves to reinforce the sincerity and humility of the repentant people’s approach to God. The Hebrew verb for pray comes from the same root as the word rendered “prayer” in verse 19. The Hebrew verb translated make supplication means “to plead for grace or favor” and comes from the same root as the word rendered “supplication” in verse 19.
A possible model for restructuring this verse is offered by Parole de Vie, which reads:
• It may happen that the Israelites disobey you and lose the battle against their enemies. But afterwards they will perhaps return to you, they will sing your praise, they will pray to you and implore you in this temple.
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 .