Micaiah said is literally “he said.” Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (as well as most other versions) insert the proper name Micaiah, since the pronoun “he” would incorrectly seem to refer to either Ahab or Jehoshaphat in verse 18. Micaiah’s words to the king begin in verse 19 and continue through verse 23. Within his words are the words of God and a heavenly being. Translators need to be sure that it is clear who is speaking throughout these five verses.

Therefore translates a Hebrew preposition joined to an adverb. This form functions to introduce a conclusion or anticipated response to certain conditions. So it ties in with what Micaiah has already said in verse 17. Languages have different ways of making this kind of connection after a different speaker has intervened. Both Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible begin with the word “Now.”

I saw is here translated “I had a vision” by Moffatt. See the comments at verse 17.

The LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him …: For the image of God sitting on his heavenly throne surrounded by heavenly beings, see also Job 1.6 and Isa 6.1. The host of heaven refers to heavenly beings, as the following verses make clear. Because the word translated host is also used of military forces, some translate here “his heavenly army” (New Century Version) or “the armies of heaven” (New Living Translation). Good News Translation has “his angels” since it views the heavenly army as made up of angels. However, here the host of heaven is more likely a reference to God’s heavenly council, who served to execute his will.

Good News Translation does not translate explicitly the words on his right hand and on his left, but rather leaves them implicit. Translators will have to decide whether making this information explicit in their own language makes for good style or not.

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 .