King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men: The Hebrew verb rendered took counsel may be translated “asked advice” (Knox, Bible en français courant) or “called … and asked.” But the majority of modern versions have simply “consulted” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt).

Most interpreters understand the old men and “the young men” of verse 8 as referring to age and not to formal titles of two groups who made decisions when the assembly of Israel gathered. In order to focus on the function of the two groups, De Vries uses the terms “the veterans” and “the newcomers.”

Who had stood before Solomon his father is translated “who had been in his father’s service” by New American Bible. See the comments on “stand before” in 1 Kgs 10.8.

While he was yet alive: Good News Translation leaves implicit that Solomon was no longer alive (also Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). However, since the death of Solomon was recorded in the previous chapter, and may not be known to readers who have not already read chapter 11, it may be better if the models of Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje are not followed here. Others have translated the same meaning as “during his lifetime” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) and “before he died.”

How do you advise me to answer this people?: Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation show the emphasis that the Hebrew places on the second person plural pronoun you in Rehoboam’s question here and in verse 9 as he seeks the advice of two different groups. Compare Traduction œcuménique de la Bible: “You, how do you advise me…?”

In certain cases the direct quotation at the end of this verse will be more naturally rendered by indirect discourse. Possible models are as follows: “He asked them how they thought he should respond to these people” and “He inquired how they would advise him to answer the people.”

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 .