Hiram was last mentioned in verse 14. Since verse 14 is in a different section in Good News Translation, he is identified as “King Hiram” here (also Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). Since Hiram ruled over territory on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, this cooperation with Solomon gave him access across land all the way from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean.

Seamen who were familiar with the sea is literally “men of ships knowing the sea.” Some other possible translations of this expression are “experienced seamen” (Revised English Bible), “expert seamen” (New American Bible), and “sailors who knew the sea” (New International Version). Since many modern readers will not know who King Hiram was, Bible en français courant says that King Hiram sent “experienced Phoenician sailors” (similarly Parole de Vie).

The word servants, which appears twice in this verse, refers in the first instance to people who were subjects of King Hiram, and in the second case to those who were subjects of King Solomon. But since their function is clearly spelled out in the context, it is legitimate to translate “sailors” or “seamen.”

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 .