He walked in all the way of Asa: As elsewhere (1 Kgs 15.26, 34; 16.2, 26), the verb walked is used figuratively to refer to Jehoshaphat’s behavior.
He did not turn aside from it: These words are also figurative. They may be expressed in a less figurative way by saying “he did not abandon his father’s ways.” But since this clause is merely the negative of the previous clause, some translators may find it more natural to translate the idea here only once as Good News Translation has done.
Doing what was right in the sight of the LORD: See the comments on this expression at 1 Kgs 11.33, 38; 14.8. For in the sight of the LORD, see also 1 Kgs 11.6.
Yet translates the Hebrew adverb that is sometimes rendered “only.” It is used to introduce the exception to Jehoshaphat’s otherwise correct behavior.
The high places were not taken away: See the comments on this same expression in 1 Kgs 15.14, where it is noted that Asa failed in the same way. For high places, see the comments on 1 Kgs 3.2. The passive construction were not taken away will have to be replaced in some languages by an active one. If this is done, it is probably best to make Jehoshaphat the agent who failed to remove the high places, saying “he did not take away the high places.”
The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places: The people refers to the people of the kingdom of Judah. For sacrificed and burned incense, see the comments on 1 Kgs 3.3.
There is a difference in verse numbering from the middle of this verse to the end of the book. The words beginning with yet the high places … to the end of the verse make up verse 44 in Hebrew. So the content of verse 44 in English is found in verse 45 in Hebrew. From that point on there is a difference of one verse between the majority of English versions and the Hebrew (and most non-English versions). Certain English versions, however, follow the Hebrew and have 54 verses in this chapter. These include New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh. Translators should feel free to follow the numbering system most commonly used in the area where the translation will be used. See the comments regarding differences in verse numbering systems in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 8-9.
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 .