And Jehoiada posted watchmen for the house of the LORD under the direction of the Levitical priests and the Levites …: The Hebrew verb translated posted is very similar in meaning to the verb rendered “set” at the beginning of verse 10. Posted watchmen may be rendered “committed the supervision” (Revised English Bible) or “placed the oversight” (New International Version). Under the direction of is literally “in the hand of” (similarly New International Version). The Levitical priests and the Levites is literally “the Levitical priests” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible). Revised Standard Version adds and the Levites, but the idea of Levites should only be mentioned once as in the Hebrew text. Some Hebrew manuscripts as well as the Septuagint and the Vulgate say “the priests and the Levites” (Revised English Bible), which is an acceptable reading here. Possible renderings for this whole clause are “Then Jehoiada chose the priests, who were Levites, to be responsible for the Temple of the LORD” (New Century Version) and “Jehoiada now put the priests and the Levites in charge of the Temple of the LORD” (New Living Translation).

Whom David had organized to be in charge of the house of the LORD: See 1 Chr 28.13.

To offer burnt offerings to the LORD: For burnt offerings, see the comments on 1 Chr 16.1.

As it is written in the law of Moses: For the law of Moses, see the comments on 2 Chr 17.9. The passive verb is written may be made active by saying “as Moses wrote in the Law.” Another possible model is “in conformity to the Law of Moses.”

With rejoicing and singing describes the manner in which sacrifices were offered.

According to the order of David: Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version omit this phrase since they view it as redundant, that is, as being a repetition of what has already been stated above about David having organized the priests and Levites to do the Temple work. However, here it has more to do with the manner in which the offerings were made, so it should be kept. New Century Version says “as David had commanded,” and New Living Translation has “as David had instructed.”

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 .