And commanded Judah: Commanded is literally “said” (Bible de Jérusalem, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), but the translation of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation is justified by the context. This verb may also be rendered “ordered” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant, Osty-Trinquet). Judah is singular but its sense is collective here, so it may be translated “the people of Judah” (Good News Translation) or “the Judeans” (Bible en français courant).

To seek the LORD means to try to know and do God’s will in this context (see the comments on 1 Chr 16.10-11 and 2 Chr 11.16). The words “seek” and “sought” occur several times in the account of King Asa, and they imply faithfulness. In some contexts the same Hebrew expression means “to ask for Yahweh’s guidance or help” (see, for example, 2 Chr 16.12).

The God of their fathers may be rendered “the God their ancestors worshiped.”

And to keep the law and the commandment: The Hebrew noun rendered commandment is singular, indicating the general character of the recommendation here. But use of the singular in translation may incorrectly suggest that the reference is to a single specific commandment. Therefore many versions use the plural “commands” (Good News Translation, New American Bible) or “commandments” (Revised English Bible). Since the law and the commandment refers to God’s laws and commandments, translators may make this explicit by saying “his teachings and commands” (Good News Translation) or “his law and commands” ( NET Bible).

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 .