And Micaiah said is literally “And he said.” Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (as well as most other versions) insert the proper name Micaiah, since the pronoun “he” would incorrectly seem to refer to either Ahab or Jehoshaphat in verse 17. The verb said may be rendered “continued” (New American Bible) or “went on” (Good News Translation) since Micaiah speaks again. His words begin in verse 18 and continue through verse 22. Within his words are the words of God and a heavenly being. Translators need to be sure that it is clear who is speaking throughout these five verses.

Therefore hear the word of the LORD: Therefore translates a Hebrew preposition joined to an adverb. This form functions to introduce a conclusion or anticipated response to certain conditions. So it ties in with what Micaiah has already said in verse 16. Languages have different ways of making this kind of connection after a different speaker has intervened. Both Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible begin with the word “Now.” The Hebrew verb translated hear is plural, whereas it is singular in the parallel text of 1 Kgs 22.19. Here the prophet is speaking not just to Ahab, but also to Jehoshaphat.

I saw is translated “I had a vision” by Moffatt. See the comments on verse 16.

The LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left: For the image of God sitting on his heavenly throne surrounded by heavenly beings, see also Job 1.6 and Isa 6.1. The host of heaven refers to heavenly beings, as the following verses make clear. Because the Hebrew word translated host is also used of military forces, some versions say “his heavenly army” (New Century Version) or “the armies of heaven” (New Living Translation). Good News Translation has “his angels” since it views the heavenly army as made up of angels. However, here the host of heaven is more likely a reference to God’s heavenly council, who served to execute his will. Good News Translation does not translate explicitly the words on his right hand and on his left, but rather leaves them implicit. Translators will have to decide whether making this information explicit in their own language makes for good style or not. These words may be rendered “on his right [side] and on his left.”

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 .