As in verse 16, the woman continues to show great respect for the prophet by addressing him as my lord in spite of her disappointment. But this indirect reference while speaking directly to the prophet will be quite unnatural in many languages. New Living Translation says “you, my lord.”

Did I ask … Did I not say…?: Both questions in this verse are rhetorical in nature with answers that are well understood by both parties. They may be more naturally rendered in some languages as strong affirmative statements as follows: “I did not ask you to give me a son. I begged you not to deceive me.” The woman is referring to her conversation with the prophet in verse 16. Like Revised Standard Version, Parole de Vie translates the last part of this verse using a quotation within a quotation: “I even said to you: ‘Don’t give me a false hope.’ ” In other languages it will be better to have one level of quotation here 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 .