He did very abominably: The Hebrew verb rendered did … abominably expresses the idea of doing something that is horrible or awful, something that people find to be disgusting. A Hebrew noun based on the same root is translated “the abomination [of the Ammonites]” in 2 Kgs 23.13 (also in 1 Kgs 14.24). The verb is reinforced by the use of an adverb adding the idea of “abundance” or “greatness.” New International Version attempts to reflect this by the use of the superlative as follows: “He behaved in the vilest manner.”

For the Hebrew noun rendered idols, see the comments on the same noun in 1 Kgs 15.12.

The Amorites here refer to all of the population of Canaan at the time of the Israelite invasion. See 1 Kgs 4.19 and 9.20.

Whom the LORD cast out before the people of Israel: This refers to the invasion of the Israelites at the time of Joshua many years earlier. Contemporary English Version rephrases this as “before the LORD forced them out of the land and gave it to Israel.”

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 .