While this verse seems to introduce the rebellion of Moab, the actual narrative of that event does not appear until 2 Kgs 3.5. The intervening verses deal with the brief reign of Ahaziah and the work of Elijah and Elisha. Many commentators see this verse as an editorial addition that serves to mark the transition from one period of Israel’s history to another. Some translations reflect this understanding by placing verse 1 as a separate paragraph with extra space before the next verse (so Parole de Vie).
Because this verse has become the first verse in a book of the Bible, most English versions find it necessary to alter the word order. The Hebrew word order is reflected in Jewish Publication Version, which has “And Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.”
After the death of Ahab: The expression After the death of is an important marker of new beginnings in the books of the Bible. It is found in the first verse of the books of Joshua, Judges and 2 Samuel, as well as here. It also occurs significantly at the start of a new section in Lev 16.1. In a number of languages a verbal expression such as “after King Ahab died” will be more natural than the use of the noun death. Or possibly a local euphemism for the verb “die” will be more appropriate. The death of Ahab is described in 1 Kgs 22.29-40.
Moab rebelled against Israel: Moab was a territory southeast of the Jordan River on the east side of the Dead Sea (see the comments on 1 Kgs 11.1). It had a long history of conflict with the Israelites. King Saul had fought against them (1 Sam 14.47) and King David had finally conquered them (2 Sam 8.2).
The Hebrew verb rendered rebelled is more literally “transgressed.” But here its meaning is enlarged to apply to the defiance of a people who wish to rid themselves of political domination by a foreign nation. The idea may be expressed in a variety of ways in other languages. New Century Version states that “Moab broke away from Israel’s rule,” while Knox indicates that “the Moabites threw off their allegiance to Israel.” Other languages may say “the people of Moab refused the authority [or, sovereignty] of the Israelites” (so Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). The same Hebrew verb occurs in 1 Kgs 8.50 and 12.19 (see the discussion on those verses).
Because this verse has become the first verse in a book of the Bible, it may be necessary to provide additional information for readers who begin reading at this point. Good News Translation makes it clear that Ahab was the king of Israel and that Moab was a country. In some languages it will be more natural to say “the people of the country named Moab” or “the Moabites” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, La Bible du Semeur) rather than to follow the Good News Translation model too closely. It may be helpful in some languages to show that Israel refers to “the kingdom of Israel” (so Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Parole de Vie). Contemporary English Version takes information from verse 2 and makes it clear from the outset that the new ruler of Israel was Ahaziah by beginning verses 1-2 as follows: “Soon after King Ahab of Israel died, the country of Moab rebelled against his son King Ahaziah.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .