This verse is an editorial comment by the author, providing the theological explanation for the northern tribes’ rejection of King Rehoboam. Good News Translation has reversed the order of the clauses in this verse. It states first what God had done and then concludes with the response of the king.

Before verses 15-19 are translated, translators must examine the time relationship among the events related in these verses. Some interpreters argue that verses 16b-17 are parenthetical, and that verse 18 is the continuation of the narrative from verse 16a. Since Rehoboam is still in Shechem in verse 18, such an understanding seems justified. If this interpretation is accepted, then the events described in verse 18 are not later than the events in verse 16b. Contemporary English Version restructures verses 15-19 in order to put the events in chronological order (see the Contemporary English Version translation of these verses quoted at the end of the comments on verse 19).

So the king did not hearken to the people may be rendered “So the king did not listen to the people” (New Century Version). For hearken see the comments on 2 Chr 6.19.

For it was a turn of affairs brought about by God is literally “for it was a turn from God.” Revised Standard Version has a passive expression here, but God is clearly the agent. According to 2 Chr 11.4, God was the cause of what happened. Some other ways that this clause has been translated are “God caused this to happen” (New Century Version), “for this turn of events was divinely ordained” (New American Bible), and “this was the means used indirectly by God” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

That the LORD might fulfil his word: Others say “to fulfill the prophecy” (New American Bible) or “so that Yahweh might fulfil the promise” (New Jerusalem Bible). God used Rehoboam’s harsh response to accomplish what he had said would happen. Another possible model here is “in order to do what he said he would do.” In some languages the use of God and the LORD may be confusing and will have to be avoided if the reader might think two different persons are involved. NET Bible does so by rendering this clause and the previous one as “because God was instigating this turn of events so that he might bring to pass the prophetic announcement.” Another possible model is “for God directed this course of events in order to accomplish what he had announced.”

Which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat: The author assumes that the readers are familiar with the account in 1 Kgs 11.29-39. By Ahijah is literally “by the hand of Ahijah.” But a literal rendering in many languages may be confusing and unhelpful. For Ahijah the Shilonite, see the comments on 2 Chr 9.29. Good News Translation shows that Shilonite refers to a place by saying “from Shiloh.” Similarly, other versions say “of Shiloh” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt). The city of Shiloh was located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Jerusalem.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .