Verses 25-26 are the author’s parenthetical statement, which Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation enclose within parentheses (also New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Peregrino). Other translations use dashes for the same purpose (so Anchor Bible). But since people who hear the text read cannot see parentheses or dashes, it may be helpful to restructure verses 25-29. Contemporary English Version, for example, numbers these verses 25-29 and then places the content of verses 25-26 after the content of verses 27-29.

It is possible that verses 25-26 are the conclusion of Elijah’s prophecy and should be enclosed within quotation marks, but these comments sound more like the kind of editorial comment found throughout 1–2 Kings. As noted in the discussion on verse 23, it is also possible to include verses 23-24 as part of the author’s parenthetical comment to the readers.

Sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD: See the comments on this clause in verse 20.

Whom Jezebel his wife incited: Incited translates a Hebrew verb that may also be rendered “lead astray,” “provoke,” or “draw out [enemy forces],” depending on the context. Other renderings here include “at the urging of” (Good News Translation), “urged on by” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), and “at the prompting of” (Revised English Bible). The idea is that Jezebel was encouraging her husband to worship other gods (see 1 Kgs 16.31, where this is clearly stated). But the writer probably has in mind the murder of Naboth also.

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 .