Because there are three levels of quotation in verses 23-24, Good News Translation omits the words Thus says the LORD to simplify the structure. For the translation of this expression, see the comments on 1 Kgs 11.31.
While it is not evident in English translations, the second person pronouns (You, your) in this verse are plural. As the previous verse indicates, the orders are clearly for all the people of Judah and not just for Rehoboam.
You shall not go up or fight: This literal rendering may suggest incorrectly that God is forbidding two separate actions. The Hebrew word rendered go up is a fixed expression meaning “to go into battle,” and is parallel in meaning to the Hebrew word for fight. Compare New American Bible: “You must not march out to fight.”
The Hebrew term rendered kinsmen is literally “brothers” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible), but in this context it should not be limited to male relatives. A more general term will be appropriate here, such as “relatives” (Good News Translation) or “kindred” (New Revised Standard Version).
For this thing is from me: Moffatt translates this as “What has happened, I have caused to happen!”
They hearkened to the word of the LORD: New Revised Standard Version avoids the archaic English verb hearkened and uses modern English by saying “they heeded the word of the LORD.” The Hebrew verb rendered hearkened means “listened,” and in this context it implies not only that they heard, but that they also obeyed (see the comments on 1 Kgs 8.30). Compare “They accepted this message of the LORD” (New American Bible) and “They obeyed the command of Yahweh” (New Jerusalem Bible).
According to the word of the LORD: This last part of the verse is omitted by Good News Translation since it is considered redundant. This model may be helpful here for other languages.
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 .