Otherwise it will come to pass: The common conjunction is joined to a form of the verb “to be” in Hebrew to form this transitional expression. The meaning is “Otherwise the result will be that…” (Moffatt) or “If this is not done…” (New American Bible); that is, if David fails to announce that Solomon is to be the new king before his death…. When a king died without having informed the people of his choice of successor, the oldest surviving son would automatically be considered the new king. In this case, that would be Adonijah.

Sleeps with his fathers is literally “lies down with his fathers.” This is a common Old Testament euphemism meaning “to die.” It occurs numerous times in 1 Kings (for example, 11.43; 14.20, 31). This idiomatic expression refers to burial in a place that is physically close to the dead person’s parents, grandparents and other forbears. If there is no corresponding idiom in the receptor language, it will be best to translate the meaning; for example, “buried with your ancestors.” Some languages have a special word for “to die” when royalty is involved.

I and my son Solomon: Languages differ as to whether a speaker mentions himself or herself first or last in such a statement. In Hebrew it is quite natural to begin with the first person singular pronoun, “I.” But in English this is considered impolite. For this reason Good News Translation and many other modern English versions (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version) reverse the order and say “Solomon and I.” Translators should use whichever order is most natural in the receptor language.

Will be counted offenders is literally “will be sinful [or, guilty].” The sense in this context is that if Adonijah becomes king, Bathsheba and Solomon will be treated as if they deserve to be punished for not having supported the new king. Compare “will be treated as criminals” (Revised English Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation) or, perhaps better, “will be regarded as traitors” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; similarly Good News Translation). Bathsheba’s words should be understood as a euphemism, meaning that she and Solomon will be killed. In this context “sinful” has a political connotation and not a theological or moral connotation.

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 .