But renders the Hebrew verbal transition, which is literally “And it came about” (New American Standard Bible). While the verb may be dropped without affecting the meaning, it is important to translate the Hebrew conjunction by a word that marks contrast as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. What happened in the night that followed changed everything. La Bible du Semeur uses the connector “However.”

That same night emphasizes the fact that the revelation of God to the prophet Nathan came to him on the very same night as the events described immediately preceding. Just as soon as Nathan had spoken the words presented in verse 2, he received a message from God.

The word of the LORD came to Nathan: In some languages it will not be natural to say that a word came. For this reason Good News Translation says simply “God said to Nathan.” Bijbel in Gewone Taal keeps closer to the prophetic formula with “God addressed Nathan with the words.” The Masoretic Text here has “God,” but the parallel text in 2 Sam 7.4 has “Yahweh,” the name of God, which is commonly rendered the LORD. Some versions harmonize this verse with the reading in 2 Sam (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version).

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 .