Then he brought out the king’s son: Then correctly renders the common Hebrew conjunction as a temporal connector, but some versions leave it untranslated (so Contemporary English Version, New International Version). Instead of the singular pronoun he, the Hebrew text has the plural pronoun “they” (God’s Word, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The use of the singular pronoun in the parallel text of 2 Kgs 11.12 may explain why some versions have the it here (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version), but this is not recommended. Since the end of the verse refers to Jehoiada and his sons, some versions believe the plural pronoun refers to “Jehoiada and his sons” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version), but others take it as indefinite. The king’s son refers to King Ahaziah’s son Joash (see verse 3), so some languages may prefer to say “the king’s son Joash” or simply “Joash” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation) for clarity.

And put the crown upon him: The use of the definite article with crown may suggest that this was the same crown used to symbolize the sovereignty of previous rulers of Judah, but it does not necessarily imply that this was a particular crown. In languages that have a special verb for the coronation of a king, it is appropriate to use it here.

And gave him the testimony: In this context the Hebrew word translated testimony apparently refers to the set of rules and regulations under which the kings of Judah operated, understood as a covenant between God and the king (see 1 Chr 29.19). In some versions it is called “a copy of the covenant” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible), “the document of the covenant” (Bible en français courant), or simply “the covenant” (New Revised Standard Version). This document may have included regulations like those outlined in Deut 17.14-20, so Good News Translation says “a copy of the laws governing kingship,” and Contemporary English Version is similar with “a copy of the instructions for ruling the nation.” Other interpreters note that 2 Sam 1.10 refers to a crown and a bracelet worn by King Saul. Based on this passage in 2 Samuel, some interpreters add one consonant to the beginning of the Hebrew noun for testimony to create the word meaning “bracelets” (La Bible Pléiade, La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous; similarly An American Translation, Moffatt). We do not recommend making this change to the text.

And they proclaimed him king: The pronoun they may refer to Jehoiada and his sons or to the people in general.

And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him: For anointed see the comments on 1 Chr 11.3. Anointed him may be rendered “poured [olive] oil on his head” (Bible en français courant; similarly New Century Version).

And they said: The parallel text of 2 Kgs 11.12 adds “and they clapped their hands” before this clause, but this is not a part of the Chronicler’s report and should not be added. The pronoun they probably refers to all the people, so Good News Translation says “everyone,” and Contemporary English Version has “the crowd.”

Long live the king is literally “Let the king live.” The people expressed their loyalty to King Joash by saying this. If the direct quotation is a problem, the meaning may be expressed by saying “they gave a great shout wishing long life to the king” or “they proclaimed their loyalty to the king.”

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 .