The long sentence in Hebrew and Revised Standard Version continues in this verse, but Good News Translation makes a break at the end of verse 11 and begins a new sentence here. This is also done by Contemporary English Version, New International Version, and numerous other modern versions. Good News Translation begins the new sentence with “He also gave him….” Contemporary English Version is more explicit with “He gave Solomon…,” and so is New Century Version with “David gave him….”

The plan of all that he had in mind is literally “the plan of all that was in the spirit with him.” The Hebrew noun translated mind may also be rendered “spirit.” There are two different interpretations of this phrase as follows:

• (1) Some interpreters understand it to mean that the plan was divinely inspired; for example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “the plan of all that he had by the spirit.” This interpretation fits well with verse 19. The Targum followed this interpretation, saying “… by [the guidance of] the Spirit of prophecy which was with him.” New International Version has “the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch restructures this part of the verse to read “David had already lain down/fixed everything exactly as the spirit of God had given it to him.” If translators follow this interpretation of the Hebrew, they may have to decide whether to capitalize the word for “spirit.” Since the reference is not to the third person of the Trinity, a rendering such as the following is recommended: “along with the plan for everything that came to his mind through the spirit [of God]” (American Bible).

• (2) However, others understand the plan to come from David’s own spirit or mind (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Reina-Valera revisada, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Peregrino, with no mention of the spirit of God here. The Hebrew word translated mind here is also used of the human spirit or mind in 1 Chr 5.26 and 2 Chr 36.22. Here, this Hebrew noun, usually translated “spirit,” refers to the location of mental acts. That David had a plan in mind simply expands on verse 2.

For the courts of the house of the LORD, see 1 Chr 28.6.

All the surrounding chambers refer to all the rooms on the outside of the Temple. See 1 Kgs 6.5.

For the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts, see the comments on 1 Chr 26.20.

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 .