And the man of God said to the king: And translates the common Hebrew conjunction. In this context it may be translated “But” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible) since the response of the man of God is contrary to what is expected.

Half your house is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. It is possible that the prophet is referring literally to the king’s palace (so New Jerusalem Bible “half your palace”). But it is more likely that the intended sense is “half your kingdom” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible), “half of your possessions” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), or “half of your wealth” (Good News Translation).

I will not eat bread or drink water: Bread is often used in the Old Testament to refer to food in general (for example, verses 15-19; 1 Sam 28.22; 30.12). I will not … drink water seems to indicate that the prophet would not drink anything at all—even water—with the king. This makes his refusal even stronger.

In this place refers to Bethel. God’s Word renders this phrase with the adverb “there,” which gives the impression that the prophet was speaking specifically of the royal house in Bethel. But this is probably to be avoided in other languages. If an adverb of place is required, it is preferable to say “here” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version).

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 .