Therefore: Revised Standard Version translates the common Hebrew conjunction here in this way, but while this may be implied by the context, no such transition is found in Good News Translation. Nevertheless, several modern versions find it necessary to introduce something similar to connect this verse with the previous verses. New Jerusalem Bible, for example, has “Because of which” and Revised English Bible says “Thus it was that.”

The LORD was very angry: This repeats the idea that concluded the previous verse, but the construction used here is even stronger. Certain modern versions attempt to convey the force of it by using expressions like “Yahweh became enraged” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “the LORD was incensed” (Revised English Bible).

Instead of translating the noun Israel, it will be more natural in some languages to say “the Israelites” or “the people of Israel.” This, of course, refers to the people of the northern kingdom, and for this reason Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says “the inhabitants of the kingdom of Israel.”

Removed them out of his sight is literally “removed them from his face.” Translators should avoid giving the impression that God could no longer see what was being done by the people who had been a part of the northern kingdom. The meaning is perhaps better expressed by saying “banished them from his presence” (Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “thrust them away from him” (New Jerusalem Bible).

None was left but the tribe of Judah only: The writer clearly affirms that the northern kingdom of Israel fell from God’s grace and that only the southern kingdom remained. The intent of such a statement may be either to exalt the remaining kingdom or to imply a warning that what had happened to others could also happen to those who remained in God’s favor. The latter understanding seems more likely in this context. The use of the word tribe may be misleading if translated literally here since parts of the tribes of Simeon and Benjamin had become part of the southern kingdom of Judah. It should probably be replaced by the word “kingdom” as in Good News Translation.

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 .