Verses 2-6 named various officials in Solomon’s kingdom. Since a list of other officials begins here in verse 7, some translations add the word “also” at the beginning of verse 7. Bible en français courant, for example, says “Solomon also had twelve governors…” (also Parole de Vie).

Twelve officers: As the following verses make clear, each officer was in charge of a region of the country. Good News Translation calls them “district governors,” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “prefects,” and Contemporary English Version calls them “regional officers.” New Revised Standard Version calls them “officials,” but since the Hebrew word here is different from that translated “high officials” in verse 2, it may be better to use terms that are not similar in the receptor language if possible.

Unlike verse 1, where “all Israel” refers to both Judah and Israel, all Israel in this verse probably refers to the northern tribes only. In the list that follows in verses 8-19, it is noted that the twelve officers are in charge of twelve districts in the northern kingdom of Israel. The end of verse 19 notes that the southern tribe of Judah also had an officer.

Who provided food for the king and his household: If a literal rendering such as that in Revised Standard Version will give the impression that the officers provided food from their own supplies, it will be better to add something like “from their districts” (Good News Translation). New Living Translation says “They were responsible for providing food from the people for the king’s household.”

The king’s household (literally “house”) includes his immediate family, his servants, and his palace officials.

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 .