The first part of this verse contains a rhetorical question and may be restated in the form of a statement (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible). See the comments on the similar type of verse using the standard closing formula in 1 Kgs 11.41.

Regarding the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah, see the comments on 1 Kgs 14.29.

And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam: As noted in the previous verse, Good News Translation has moved these words to the end of verse 6.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

But: Although New Revised Standard Version also translates the common Hebrew conjunction in this way, there seems little reason to mark contrast at this point. Most modern versions, therefore, leave the transition word untranslated at this point.

The pronouns his, him, he, and himself refer to Elah.

His servant Zimri: The Hebrew calls Zimri a servant, but it should be remembered that this Hebrew noun has a wide range of meanings, depending on the context. Here it refers to a military officer. New Century Version says “Zimri, one of Elah’s officers.”

Commander of half his chariots: Commander renders the same Hebrew noun that is translated “high officials” in 1 Kgs 4.2. See the comments there. An American Translation renders it “captain.” For chariots see 1 Kgs 1.5.

For conspired against him, see the comments at 1 Kgs 15.27.

Drinking himself drunk is literally “drinking drunk.” Languages have a variety of different ways of describing such action. The idea is that of drinking alcoholic beverages to the point of losing control of one’s actions. New American Bible translates simply “drinking to excess,” while New Jerusalem Bible has “drinking himself senseless.” The same phrase occurs in 1 Kgs 20.16.

Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah: This is the only mention of Arza in the Old Testament. His exact duties are not certain, but he was probably responsible for taking care of the palace and other royal property and perhaps was also responsible for the king’s domestic affairs. Contemporary English Version calls him a “prime minister.” The text does not indicate whether or not Arza was a part of the plot against King Elah.

In some languages it may be wise to take the relative clause describing the position of Arza as a parenthesis as in International Children’s Bible, which reads “(Arza was the man in charge of the palace at Tirzah).”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The common Hebrew conjunction translated But may not need to be translated in some languages since there is no strong contrast implied in this context. Here it functions simply to move the story along to the conclusion of this episode. In some cases it may be translated by a word like “eventually.”

The people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni: Overcame is literally “were stronger than” (An American Translation). The rendering in Good News Translation, “those in favor of Omri won out,” almost seems to suggest a democratic process. Although the text does not say so, it seems likely that Omri’s supporters defeated Tibni’s supporters in battle. Several English versions use verbs like “prevailed” (New American Bible), “proved stronger than” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “defeated” (New Living Translation).

Since the phrase the son of Ginath occurs in the previous verse, it will be unnecessary in many languages to repeat it in this verse (so Good News Translation).

The text says that Tibni died. Since the Septuagint says that his brother Joram died at the same time, it is possible that Tibni and his brother were murdered. Since this verse states that the followers of Omri defeated the followers of Tibni, the context seems to suggest the use of force. Both Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible seem to suggest that he was killed by saying “Tibni lost his life.” Contemporary English Version and New Living Translation state even more explicitly that “Tibni was killed.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The LORD hearkened to the voice of Elijah: A more modern equivalent for the verb hearkened is “listened” (New Revised Standard Version) or “heard” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In common English speech, the whole clause is translated “The LORD answered Elijah’s prayer” by Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version.

The soul of the child came into him again: The translation of this expression should follow the decision made about how to render the similar expression in the previous verse.

He revived: The addition of the verb revived is somewhat redundant, but in most cases the repetition of this idea serves to emphasize this surprising turn of events. In some languages this may be translated by saying “he was healed.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The direct quotation Come near to me may be better translated as indirect speech in certain languages. It is therefore possible to begin this verse by saying “Then Elijah invited all the people to come closer to him and they did so.”

He repaired the altar: Since Elijah is still working on repairing the altar in verse 32, it seems that what happens in that verse is a continuation of what Elijah begins to do here. In verse 31 the author interrupts his account regarding the building of the altar, only to return to it in verse 32. If it is correct to understand verse 31 as an interruption of the action, which continues in verse 32, then Good News Translation may provide a useful model in saying that Elijah “set about repairing the altar.” However, some interpreters have understood the text to mean that Elijah repaired an old altar (verse 30) and then built a new and different altar (verses 31-32). If this second interpretation is followed, then the Good News Translation rendering should not be followed. It is also possible to understand verse 30 as a general statement, and the following verses as providing the details of how the altar was repaired. It is not possible to know whether the author intended to refer to one or two altars, so translators must simply choose one interpretation, unless it is possible to leave the ambiguity in the receptor language.

That had been thrown down: This passive expression will have to be translated actively in some languages. While there is no clear indication about who destroyed the altar, it was either intentionally destroyed by those who worshiped Baal or simply allowed to deteriorate as a result of lack of attention. New International Version may provide a helpful model with “which was in ruins.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

This verse begins in Hebrew with the verbal transition that is sometimes rendered “And it will happen.”

Him who escapes: The pronoun him is to be understood in the sense of “any person,” “anyone,” or “whoever.” The Hebrew verb rendered escapes is actually a passive form of a verb meaning “save” or “deliver.” But the meaning is adequately translated by the verb “escape” in English. Others may use an expression like “avoids death” or “flees death.”

The sword of Hazael: See Elisha’s words to Hazael in 2 Kgs 8.12. For the use of sword here, see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.8.

Him who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay: There is no record in the Old Testament of Elisha killing people who escaped death from Jehu.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

They encamped: They refers to the Syrian army and the Israelite army, as Good News Translation makes explicit. Another possible solution is to substitute an expression like “The armies” (New Century Version) or “the two armies” (Contemporary English Version, Parole de Vie) for the pronoun.

Seven days: Translators may consider it more natural in some languages to speak of “a week.” But since the battle is said to begin on the seventh day, this is not encouraged.

The battle was joined is literally “the war drew near.” The meaning of this expression is simply that the two armies engaged each other in battle. Languages will have a variety of ways of stating that “the fighting broke out” (Contemporary English Version), but there should be no attempt to imitate the English idiom used in Revised Standard Version and many other versions.

The people of Israel smote of the Syrians … foot soldiers: The archaic word smote is replaced by “killed” in New Revised Standard Version. And this is the meaning that should be translated in other languages.

The Syrians is literally “Aram,” as in verses 20 and 26. The Hebrew text states that these Syrians were foot soldiers, and this detail should be preserved in translation. Some languages may have a technical term such as “infantry” (Revised English Bible, Moffatt), which will be appropriate here.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .