Deal loyally is literally “do kindness.” The Hebrew noun for “kindness” (chesed) has a wide range of meanings. The English nouns “goodness,” “grace,” and “kindness” are all possible translations. Others focus on the element of “faithfulness.” In this context, and combined with the preceding verb, it has been rendered “deal graciously” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “Show constant friendship” (Revised English Bible), “treat … with faithful love” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “Be kind” (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, Moffatt).

The sons of Barzillai the Gileadite: These words refer to the events told in 2 Sam 17.27-29, though only Barzillai, and not his sons, is mentioned there. The word sons may be taken in a broader sense in this context. It probably is not intended to exclude daughters. For this reason Revised English Bible speaks of “the family of Barzillai.” Gileadite may be translated “from the region of Gilead.”

Let them be among those who eat at your table: Archaeological evidence from the ancient Near Eastern world indicates that a table was usually no more than 45 centimeters (18 inches) high. The words of this clause are probably not to be taken literally in the sense that they are to eat at the same table with the king, though this is possible. Rather, Solomon is to be sure that they have food provided for them from the royal court; that is, Solomon is to provide a royal pension for the sons of Barzillai. In order to ensure that readers do not take these words literally, it may be better to avoid a reference to Solomon’s table and say something similar to Good News Translation, which has “take care of them.” Other acceptable translations include “Make them permanent guests of the king” (New Living Translation) and “Provide for them” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

For with such loyalty they met me is literally “for thus they met me.” But the adverb “thus” seems to refer back to chesed earlier in this verse. And in the story as told in 2 Samuel (17.27), the encounter certainly included gestures of reconciliation and good will. For this reason Slotki suggests “for so they befriended me,” since they brought food and other supplies to David and his men when he was in need.

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 .