Then: The common Hebrew conjunction here is omitted in many modern versions, including Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible and others. But if the receptor language requires a connecting word in this context, it may certainly be translated. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “Thereupon” and American Bible says “Whereupon.”

Hezekiah: The Hebrew text has only the pronoun “he” at this point (so New American Bible). But the parallel text in Isa 38.2 has the proper name and it is clearly implied in the use of the pronoun here. Translators should feel free to use whichever is more natural as long as it is clear that Hezekiah is in view here and not Isaiah.

Turned his face to the wall: In order to have some degree of privacy in his communion with Yahweh, Hezekiah turned away from those present in the room where he was. The Targum (ancient Aramaic translation) on this verse says that Hezekiah was in the Temple, but the Hebrew simply does not state where he was (see the comments on verse 4). Ahab is said to have “turned away his face” in a somewhat different situation in 1 Kgs 21.4.

Prayed to the LORD: Good News Translation leaves implicit the fact that the pious king was praying to the LORD, but in many languages it will be essential to include this information explicitly. This is especially the case where the same word is used for “pray,” “beg,” and “ask.”

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 .