Oh, my lord translates a fixed Hebrew formula used for beginning a conversation with someone of higher rank or social standing. It is an abbreviated form of saying “Let the harm our conversation might do come upon me, my lord!” It may be translated “Pardon me, your Majesty” or “Excuse me, your Majesty.” Neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation capture the force of the Hebrew. New Revised Standard Version is better with “Please, my lord” (similarly Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

This woman and I is literally “I and this woman.” Most English translations reverse the order for reasons of English style. Translators in other languages should feel free to use whichever order is most natural in this context.

The words I gave birth to a child render a single Hebrew verb, meaning “I gave birth.” Since verse 20 states that the child was a son, Good News Translation brings this information forward to verse 17.

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 .