At the beginning of this verse, the verb said may be better translated “answered” in this context.

There came a man to meet us: In certain languages it will be much more natural to say “On the way we met a man” or “A man met us along the road” (Contemporary English Version).

The content of this verse follows closely verses 3-4 since it is a repetition of what has already been described. Translators should therefore compare the terminology and structure of this verse with those verses. For example, for the emphatic construction shall surely die, compare the previous rendering in verse 4. Here in verse 6 the Hebrew verb rendered you are sending is singular, but the verb translated “you are going” in verse 3 is plural.

This verse contains three levels of quotation. The messengers tell the king what the prophet said that the LORD had said. It will be essential in many languages to make one or more of these levels of direct quotation into indirect speech. A possible model for the whole verse is:

• They replied that a man had met them and told them to go back to the one who sent them and tell him this message from the LORD: The LORD wants to know why you sent us to ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, about your injury and why you act like that there is no God in Israel. That man also told us that the LORD says you will die from this injury.

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 .