19:14a

But: In Greek this verse begins with a common conjunction that is often used to introduce a new event. The Berean Standard Bible translated it as “Beforehand” in 19:13. Here the Berean Standard Bible probably translates it as But because in this context it introduces a fact that is unexpected.

In some languages a conjunction such as But may imply a wrong contrast here. Introduce the event in a natural way in your language. A conjunction may not be necessary. For example:

The citizens of his own country hated him. (God’s Word)

his subjects: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as his subjects is more literally “his citizens.” It refers here to the people in his own country. The nobleman was not yet ruling over them, but he was seeking to be their king. Refer to them in an appropriate way in your language. Some ways to translate this phrase are:

His fellow-citizens (Revised English Bible)
-or-
his own people (Good News Translation)
-or-
the people of his country (Contemporary English Version)

hated him: Here the word hated probably refers to rejecting the nobleman as king. The citizens did not want the nobleman to rule them, so they opposed him. In this context the word hated probably does not refer mainly to personal feelings of dislike. Other ways to translate it are:

rejected him
-or-
opposed him

19:14b

and sent a delegation after him: The phrase and sent a delegation after him indicates here that after the nobleman had left, the nobleman’s countrymen told a group of people to also go to the emperor to give him a message. The content of the message is in 19:14c. Some other ways to say this are:

and sent a group to follow him (New Century Version)
-or-
They told messengers to also go to that same distant country

delegation: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as delegation refers to a group of people who have been given an official message to deliver on behalf of others. Some other ways to translate this are:

messengers (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
representatives (God’s Word)
-or-
people to give ⌊the emperor⌋ a message from them

19:14c

to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us’: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to say is literally “saying.” It introduces the message that the citizens wanted to give to the emperor. Here is another way to translate this:

…saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ (Revised Standard Version)

This message functions as a request. The citizens were indirectly asking the emperor to not appoint the nobleman as their king. The emperor had great authority and status. In many languages it may be necessary to use very polite language to introduce the request and to express it. For example:

…to beg him saying, “⌊Great Emperor⌋, ⌊please consider⌋ our request that this man not be made our king/chief.”

This example is a direct quote of what the citizens wanted to say. In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech. For example:

…to say that they did not want that man to be their king.
-or-
…to beg ⌊the emperor⌋ not to appoint that nobleman to rule them.

We: The word We refers to the messengers and their fellow citizens. This group did not include the nobleman.

this man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this man is literally “this-one.” It is probably a disrespectful way to refer to him. Consider whether you have a slightly disrespectful term that would be appropriate in this context.

to rule over us: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to rule over us is literally “to-reign-as-king over us.” Another way to translate it is:

to be our king (New International Version)

Translate this in a natural way in your language.

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