In the Hebrew text this verse begins literally with the phrase “And behold,” which Revised Standard Version omits. New American Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh render it “See.”

With great pains is literally “in my affliction.” The Hebrew noun here has a range of meanings that include “poverty,” “pain,” and “work.” Translations vary in which nuance is considered to be in focus here. Some focus on the aspect of hard work. Good News Translation, for example, reads “by my efforts,” while Braun and Osty-Trinquet say “by my hard work.” Others focus on the fact that David provided for the Temple despite the fact that he lacked resources, was fighting wars, and had troubles within his family. Translations reflecting this understanding include “At the cost of some trouble” (Revised English Bible), “poor as I am” (New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), “in my poverty” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh alternative translation), and “by denying myself” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Knoppers argues that the noun in this context signifies a self-imposed restraint, translating “In my humility.” Any of these translations is possible and acceptable.

I have provided for the house of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver: The amount of gold and silver is enormous. Perhaps these amounts were intended to be read as hyperbole, meaning “huge amounts of gold and silver,” rather than taken literally. In any case, the writer surely is giving round numbers rather than precise measurements. But since it is not clear that these amounts were intended in any way other than literal amounts, translators should keep the amounts in the receptor language. A “talent” was the approximate equivalent of 34 kilograms or 75 pounds. A hundred thousand talents is the equivalent of “almost four thousand tons” according to Good News Translation. La Bible du Semeur has “3,000 tons,” and Bible en français courant says “more than three thousand tons.” God’s Word expresses this in pounds as “7,500,000 pounds.” A million talents is the equivalent of “nearly forty thousand tons” (Good News Translation) or “75,000,000 pounds” (God’s Word). La Bible du Semeur has “30,000 tons,” and Bible en français courant says “more than thirty thousand tons.”

And bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it: See the comments on 1 Chr 22.3.

Timber and stone too I have provided: See verses 2 and 4.

To these you must add: Most translations take this clause to mean that Solomon will need to obtain more timber and stone in addition to the quantities that David has already gathered. But some interpret it as simply giving Solomon permission to get more of these items; for example, American Bible says “but you may add to these,” New International Version and Revised English Bible translate “And you may add to them,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “to which you may add more.” Contemporary English Version seems to give yet another way of understanding this clause, saying “Ask for anything else you need.” This interpretation presents David as having more resources that would be forthcoming at Solomon’s request. But this option is less likely to be the intended meaning.

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 .