Arise, and disguise yourself: The verb Arise should not be understood to mean that the king’s wife was sitting or lying down (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.50 and 2.40). Revised English Bible renders it “at once,” but Good News Translation omits it. The Hebrew particle of entreaty, which is sometimes translated “please” (see 1 Kgs 1.12), follows the verb Arise. Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation attempts to translate this particle here, but compare Moffatt: “Pray go and disguise yourself” (similarly Osty-Trinquet).

The Hebrew verb translated disguise yourself may present problems in certain languages. The fundamental meaning of the verb is “to change.” The idea is that of changing one’s appearance to deceive other people about one’s identity. In fact, the words that follow clearly indicate the purpose of the deception: that any person seeing Jeroboam’s wife would not know who she was. In some languages it may be necessary to say “make yourself look like another person” or “hide your face.” The text does not give us any solid clues as to exactly how Jeroboam’s wife was to alter her appearance.

That it be not known that you are the wife of Jeroboam: Since Jeroboam is speaking directly to his wife, many languages will find it more natural to refer to Jeroboam in the first person rather than third person. Contemporary English Version translates “so no one will know you’re my wife” (similarly New Century Version). New Living Translation omits the reference to Jeroboam by saying “so that no one will recognize you as the queen.”

The city of Shiloh was north of Bethel (see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.27).

The Hebrew particle translated behold seems to serve merely as a focusing device, calling special attention to the appearance of the prophet who was being sought. In many languages it may be unnecessary to translate it at all.

For Ahijah the prophet, see 1 Kgs 11.29. Regarding the words that he spoke to Jeroboam, see 1 Kgs 11.31-39. In Hebrew the name of this prophet is spelled in its full form “Ahijahu” in verses 4-6 and 18.

In this context the words this people refer to “Israel” (Good News Translation). More specifically, the reference is to the northern kingdom, in contrast to the southern kingdom of Judah.

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 .