Then: The Hebrew text has only the common conjunction, which many versions choose to ignore. Translators should use whatever transition device is necessary in their own language to move the story along to the instructions of the angel. It is interesting to note that this plea implies but never states a request that Elijah go down to the king as the first two officers had specifically demanded.

The angel of the LORD: This is clearly the same angel mentioned at the beginning of the story (see verse 3).

Go down with him; do not be afraid of him: If necessary, this direct quotation may be rendered indirectly by saying “the angel of the LORD told Elijah to go down with the officer without being afraid” or something similar.

It is not clear in the Hebrew text whether the pronoun him in the clause do not be afraid of him refers to the officer or to the king. Either interpretation is possible and makes good sense in the context. Some versions (Good News Translation, Parole de Vie) avoid the problem by leaving out this pronoun completely.

So once again translates the common Hebrew conjunction, but the logical transition may require something similar to So or “Therefore” in the receptor language. It was because of what the angel said to Elijah that he went with the officer to see the king.

He arose and went down with him to the king: See the comments on verse 3 for the use of the verb “arise” in series with other verbs.

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 .