The specification that this Azariah was the son of Nathan makes it quite clear that this is not the same person mentioned in verse 2. The text does not identify Nathan. It is possible that the reference is to the prophet Nathan, but since the text does not identify him beyond his name, translators should not attempt to do so either.
Over the officers: The meaning of this literal rendering is something like “in charge of the regional officers” (Contemporary English Version). Others say “chief of the governors” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). According to the interpretation found in Revised English Bible, Azariah was the “superintendent of the regional governors,” who are listed in verses 8-19. See the comments below regarding the Revised English Bible translation of the end of verse 19.
Gray, who follows part of the Septuagint tradition, reads “Zakur” instead of Zabud.
Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Peregrino, and Gray omit the word priest since it is not found in some manuscripts of the Septuagint and the Old Latin. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic reading, which should be followed here. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament suggests that since the genealogy in 1 Chr 2.36 indicates that Zabud was not a descendent of Levi, the Septuagint omits here for theological reasons that he was a priest.
Almost certainly the Hebrew expression rendered king’s friend is a technical term borrowed from Egyptian court titles and refers to a court official who served as the king’s confidential adviser. Evidence for such a title is found in ancient documents from Egypt and Ugarit. For this reason the best translation may be “personal adviser to the king” (New International Version, Bible en français courant), “the king’s private counselor” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), “Royal Adviser” (Good News Translation), “a trusted adviser to the king” (New Living Translation), or “the king’s advisor” (Contemporary English Version, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parole de Vie) rather than a literal translation of the word friend.
Traduction œcuménique de la Bible uses the word “friend” in the text but directs the reader to the note on this term in 2 Sam 15.37, which states that “friend has a technical sense here; it is the title given to a confidant and counselor of the king.” If translators choose to keep the word “friend” in the text, then they should consider explaining the meaning in a note, as Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has done. Revised English Bible takes a different approach in indicating that this is a title by using capital letters: “King’s Friend.” But translators should not rely on the use of notes or capital letters to translate this word. It will be best to follow the examples of New International Version, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and state the meaning clearly in the text.
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 .