He walked in the way of Asa his father: For the figurative use of the verb walked here, see the comments on 2 Chr 6.14 and 11.17. This clause may be rendered nonfiguratively by saying “He followed the example of his father Asa” (La Bible du Semeur). Revised English Bible attempts to retain some of the imagery by saying “He followed in the footsteps of Asa his father.”

And did not turn aside from it: This expression is also figurative. It may be rendered in a less figurative way by saying “he did not abandon his father’s ways.” Good News Translation omits this clause, but it is important to keep it since it emphasizes just how strictly Jehoshaphat followed the example of his father. It may be possible in some languages to translate the meaning of this clause by using an adverb with the verb in the previous clause, saying “He followed very carefully the example of his father Asa.”

He did what was right in the sight of the LORD is more literally “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (New International Version). See the comments on 2 Chr 14.2. This clause may be rendered “he did what the LORD considered right” (similarly God’s Word).

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 .