He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD: These are the same words used to describe the reign of Joram of Israel (2 Kgs 3.2) as well as the reigns of Jehoram (2 Kgs 8.18) and Ahaziah (2 Kgs 8.27) of Judah. See the comments at 1 Kgs 11.6 and 15.26.

Jehoahaz sinned against the LORD by following the sins of Jeroboam (1 Kgs 12.26-33), just as his father Jehu did (2 Kgs 10.29, 31).

The son of Nebat: Good News Translation omits this detail concerning Jeroboam’s father. It is found previously in 2 Kgs 3.3; 9.9; 10.29. It should be kept here if it is natural in the receptor language.

He made Israel to sin: The causative verb form here probably does not imply forcing the people of Israel to do wrong against their will. Rather, the idea is that of providing leadership in the wrong direction. Both Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible use the verb “led” as does Good News Translation. The influence and persuasive power of the king was used to cause others under him to commit sin. See the comments at 1 Kgs 14.16 and 2 Kgs 10.29.

He did not depart from them: This additional statement serves to emphasize the wrong direction that Jehoahaz had taken and in which he was leading his people. Compare 2 Kgs 3.3. Some translators may prefer to avoid the negation here and translate “he refused to abandon those sins.”

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 .