The judgment which the king had rendered is more literally “the judgment which the king had judged.” And to render justice is literally “to do judgment.” The same Hebrew noun is rendered judgment and justice in this verse and is translated “what is right” in verse 11.

They stood in awe translates a single Hebrew verb whose subject is all Israel (that is, “all the people of Israel”), not just the two prostitutes. The Hebrew verb is often rendered “to fear” (as in 1 Kgs 1.50), and it has traditionally been so translated here (Reina-Valera revisada, King James Version, Nouvelle version Segond révisée). But it may also have the meaning “to revere” or “to stand in awe,” as it does in this context (so nearly all modern versions). Bible en français courant translates “they were filled with a profound respect.”

They perceived that the wisdom of God was in him: The wisdom of God refers both to the wisdom that God has and to “wisdom from God” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible says “recognising that he possessed divine wisdom” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

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 .