Then reflects the same Hebrew adverb of time as in the beginning of verse 1.

Solomon said: Since verse 13 makes it clear that Solomon is talking to God, Good News Translation says “prayed” instead of said. Good News Translation has also changed the third person references to The LORD and he to the second person singular pronoun “you” because the Hebrew uses the second person singular forms in the rest of the prayer in the following verse. Translators must decide whether it will be confusing to readers in the receptor language to shift from third person to second person in speaking to God. Translators must also ask themselves whether it is natural in their language to use the third person forms in prayers to God.

The LORD has set the sun in the heavens, but has said that he would dwell in thick darkness: The last half of this quotation is a reference to Lev 16.2. The Masoretic Text does not have most of the words in the first half of this quotation. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh reflects this shorter text with “The LORD has chosen to abide in a thick cloud” (similarly New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant). The longer reading found in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (also Revised English Bible) is based on the Septuagint text; however, in the Septuagint this verse comes after verse 53. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text and acknowledges that the Hebrew may originally have had a longer text here. But the editors of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project also think the evidence is insufficient to reconstruct the original Hebrew text here, so they recommend that translators give the longer reading of the Septuagint in a footnote and indicate that this reading comes after verse 53 in the Septuagint text.

Thick darkness refers to extreme darkness or almost total absence of light. Some languages may say “deep darkness” or “heavy darkness.” Others may prefer to say “a very dark cloud.” This expression alludes to rain and thunderclouds (see Psa 18.10-11).

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 .