After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel: Since the reign of Jehoshaphat has already been summed up in the previous verse, it is unclear exactly how the Hebrew word rendered After this is to be understood. It has been translated “Later” (New International Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible) and “Afterwards” (New Jerusalem Bible). Some take it to refer to the final days of the life of Jehoshaphat by saying “At the end of his life” (Knox) or “But near the end of his life” (New Living Translation). Others take it as referring to the time after the defeat of the enemy armies in verses 1-30. But Good News Translation translates it in a rather neutral way by saying “At one time.” A general rendering such as this is preferable here. Joined with means specifically that military cooperation was agreed on between the two kings. So this phrase is better translated “made an alliance with” (Good News Translation) or “allied himself to” (Moffatt).

Who did wickedly is literally “he did evil to do.” This clause stands alone as the second half of the verse in the Hebrew text, and it is not clear whether it refers to Jehoshaphat or to Ahaziah. Some take this clause as a description of the habitual character of Ahaziah, the king of Israel, and not in the sense of a particular act that he committed (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible). However, others believe this clause refers to Jehoshaphat, showing that his decision to align himself with Ahaziah was a serious error; for example, New Century Version translates this whole verse as “Later, Jehoshaphat … made a treaty with Ahaziah … which was a wrong thing to do.” Compare also “Afterwards, Jehoshaphat formed a partnership with Ahaziah … which was very wrong of him” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “Afterward, King Jehoshaphat of Judah entered into a partnership with King Ahaziah of Israel, thereby acting wickedly” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

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 .