The language of the first half of this verse is similar to that of 1 Kgs 2.3-4 and 3.14, and the reader may consult the discussion on those verses (compare also verse 33).

The archaic verb hearken means “listen” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible) in the sense of obedient listening. Revised English Bible translates “pay heed.”

Do what is right in my eyes: See the comments on “doing what is right in my sight” in verse 33.

Will build you a sure house: The same expression occurs in 1 Sam 2.35. As there, and also as in 2 Sam 7.11, the word house refers to the dynasty that God will establish for the person in view, in this case for Jeroboam. The Hebrew adjective rendered sure comes from a root that expresses the idea of stability and permanence. For a sure house, An American Translation says “a lasting house.” In order to show the figurative meaning, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders the whole clause as “I will build for you a lasting dynasty,” and La Bible du Semeur says “I will make you the ruler of a durable/lasting dynasty.”

The appearance of the verb build together with the noun house causes many readers to misunderstand the meaning of this statement and take the two terms in their more literal sense. So in many cases it is better to avoid translating either term literally by saying something like “I will guarantee you many descendants to rule for a long time” or “I will establish for you a permanent family to rule.”

I will give Israel to you means God will allow Jeroboam to reign over the northern kingdom of Israel. The meaning is the same as the end of verse 37.

Revised Standard Version follows the form of the Hebrew for the whole verse, but in some languages this form will not be natural or clear. Parole de Vie provides a good model for restructuring:

• Listen to all that I will command you, follow the way that I will show you. Do what is good in my eyes. Obey the laws and the commandments that I give you, as my servant David has done. If you act in this way, I will be with you. I will firmly establish the royal power in your family, as I did for David. I will give you the ten tribes of Israel.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .