Translators should be aware that there is a verse numbering difference between most English versions and the majority of versions in other languages, including the Hebrew text. Verse 1 in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation is the last verse of chapter 13 in Hebrew. So there is a difference of one number for each verse in this chapter.

In this verse the account of Abijah’s reign is concluded by the common formula used to summarize the reign of most of the kings of Israel and Judah (see the comments on 2 Chr 9.31). It refers to his death, burial, and successor.

So Abijah slept with his fathers: So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. It serves as a logical connector here, but it may be omitted in some languages because a new paragraph and section heading begin at this point. At the beginning of this new section it may also be advisable in some languages to to identify Abijah as “King Abijah” (Good News Translation). Slept with his fathers is a Hebrew euphemism, meaning “died” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, Bible en français courant). Various English-language euphemisms have been used to translate this phrase, for example, “passed away” ( NET Bible), “rested with his forefathers” (Revised English Bible), “rested with his ancestors” (New American Bible), and “fell asleep with his ancestors” (New Jerusalem Bible). If the receptor language has a euphemism, it may be used in place of the Hebrew expression.

And they buried him in the city of David: The Hebrew text does not indicate who buried Abijah. The active expression they buried him may be translated as a passive one in some languages (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). In other languages the indefinite third person plural verb may be kept here or some may have to say “his people buried him.” For the city of David, see the comments on 1 Chr 11.5 and 2 Chr 5.2.

And Asa his son reigned in his stead: See the comments on 1 Chr 19.1 and 2 Chr 9.31.

In his days the land had rest for ten years: In his days is a literal translation of the Hebrew. A more idiomatic English translation is “in his time” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or “During his reign” ( NET Bible). Since this verse has three proper names, it may be clearer to say “in Asa’s time” (International Children’s Bible, God’s Word). Rest in this context refers to “peace” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Moffatt). Peace, or absence of war, was considered a sign of God’s blessing (1 Chr 17.8-9; 22.9). Instead of the land had rest, some languages will find it more natural to say “the country was at peace” (New International Version), “the country remained calm” (Parole de Vie), or “the country experienced … peace” (La Bible du Semeur).

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 .