Set two base fellows opposite him: The sense is that the two base fellows were seated near Naboth, facing him. Gray says “give two men, reprobates, a seat opposite him.”
The Law of Moses required at least two accusing witnesses (Deut 17.6-7; 19.15).
Base fellows is literally “sons of Belial” (King James Version). The same phrase occurs also in 1 Sam 2.12 (Revised Standard Version “worthless men”); 10.27 (Revised Standard Version “worthless fellows”); 25.17 (Revised Standard Version “ill-natured”); and 30.22. The words “son/sons of” plus a noun often function in Hebrew as an adjective stating the nature or character of the person being described. The exact meaning of the Hebrew word transliterated “Belial” is not clear, though it is obviously a term of contempt. Perhaps it is formed from two words meaning “without” and “worth.” In the Old Testament this word is used in contexts that suggest the idea of “evil,” and by the time of the New Testament it had become the name of the prince of evil (2 Cor 6.15). A literal translation (so King James Version) will have zero meaning. A translation such as “worthless men” (Anchor Bible), “scoundrels” (Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “unprincipled rogues” (Revised English Bible) seems correct in this context. In certain languages this expression will be rendered “bad people” or “people who cause trouble.”
Let them bring a charge against him: In many languages the expression bring a charge against will be more naturally translated “condemn,” “accuse,” or “denounce.”
Within the words of Jezebel are the words that she wants the two scoundrels to say against Naboth. Good News Translation turns this embedded quotation into an indirect quotation.
You have cursed God and the king: The Hebrew verb rendered cursed usually means “blessed,” but it is often used as a euphemism to mean “cursed.” Even King James Version, which is usually quite literal, translates the meaning here using the word “blaspheme.”
Cursing God was a crime punishable by being stoned to death (Lev 24.10-16). The Law also prohibited cursing a ruler of the people (Exo 22.28 [22.27 in Hebrew]); but it should be noted that the Hebrew word in Exo 22.28 is not the word “king,” and it perhaps refers to a tribal spokesman or representative.
Take him out, and stone him to death: In accordance with the Law (Lev 24.14), the person who cursed God was to be killed outside the city. Only in verse 13 is the reader told the place where Naboth is to be taken; that is, “outside the city.” Good News Translation brings that information forward to this verse. Many other translators will have to do the same since the language may require some sort of explanation of what is meant by the word out.
For stone him to death, see the comments on 1 Kgs 12.18.
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 .