They did not ask an accounting: Many versions translate the beginning of this verse with a passive expression. Revised English Bible, for example, says “No account was asked” (similarly New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In Hebrew the verb rendered ask is third person plural. If translators use an active form of the verb, then it may be helpful to decide to whom the pronoun they refers. They probably refers to the king’s secretary and the high priest (verse 10), who were responsible for ensuring that the money was indeed used for the repair of the Temple. Other possible renderings for the whole expression here are “They did not demand to know how the money was spent” (New Century Version) and “They did not insist on finding out how they [the construction supervisors] spent the money.”

The men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen: This expression refers to the construction supervisors (verse 11). Good News Translation refers to them with a more general expression, saying “The men in charge of the work.” Once again, the pronoun they probably refers to the king’s secretary and the high priest.

For they dealt honestly: This provides the reason why no accounting was necessary. The relationship of cause and effect should be clearly understood in translation even though the sentence may be restructured as in Good News Translation so that this element appears earlier in the verse. The pronoun they refers to the construction supervisors, not the workmen. The idea of “honest persons” may be translated in some languages as “people of truth.” The same claim of honesty is made later for the men in charge of Temple repairs during the reign of Josiah (2 Kgs 22.7).

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 .