He went in: In languages that require a destination following the verb went in, it will be possible to say “he went into the palace” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch; similarly Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Ate and drank: This gives the impression that Jehu acted as if nothing of importance had happened. It was only after he had calmed down that he was able to order a proper burial for Jezebel.

He said: The Hebrew does not indicate to whom Jehu spoke here. In some languages it will be necessary to indicate this; for example, Contemporary English Version has “he told some workers.”

See now to …: These words of Jehu include a particle in Hebrew which indicates that he is making a request. Regarding this particle of entreaty, see the comments at 1 Kgs 1.12. The Hebrew verb rendered See is one that has a wide variety of meanings. In this context the servants are commanded to take oversight of the unwanted task of burying the mutilated corpse of the hated woman Jezebel. Some possible translations are “Attend to…” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “Take care of…” (New International Version), and “Now see about…” (New Century Version).

This cursed woman: The Hebrew text has only the feminine singular participle meaning “accursed,” followed by the demonstrative pronoun. The same root word is used in the cursing of the serpent in Gen 3.14 and in the story of Saul’s forbidding food to his soldiers (1 Sam 14.24, 28). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch clearly expresses the sense with “this woman whom the LORD has cursed.”

For she is a king’s daughter: See 1 Kgs 16.31. The transition word for introduces the reason for Jehu’s desire for a proper burial for this wicked woman. In spite of her corrupt behavior, she was still a part of the royal family. The verb tense here in Revised Standard Version may be unacceptable in some languages since Jezebel was no longer living at this point. Both New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible use the past tense, saying “after all, she was a king’s daughter.” American Bible translates king’s daughter as “princess.”

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 .