They took oath to the LORD with a loud voice …: The Hebrew verb rendered took oath is literally “swore an oath” (similarly God’s Word). Revised English Bible translates “bound themselves by an oath.” New Living Translation begins this verse with “They shouted out their oath of loyalty to the LORD….” Contemporary English Version makes the pronoun They clearer by beginning with “The crowd solemnly agreed to keep their promise to the LORD….”

And with shouting, and with trumpets, and with horns: The taking of this oath was accompanied by a great deal of fanfare, including loud shouting and the playing of musical instruments. Two different instruments are mentioned: trumpets and horns. For trumpets see the comments on 1 Chr 13.8; for horns see 1 Chr 15.28. Moffatt refers to “trumpets” and “bugles.” Good News Translation mentions “trumpets” only, but since two different kinds of instruments are named in the Hebrew text, translators should keep both if possible.

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 .