The common Hebrew conjunction rendered So (literally “And”) is left untranslated by most modern versions in this context. However, New American Bible has “Thus.”

They and their sons were in charge of …: The word sons refers, of course, to the “descendants” (Good News Translation, New International Version, La Bible du Semeur) of the guards. Bible en français courant translates they and their sons as “from generation to generation.” As in verse 19, were in charge of renders a Hebrew preposition that means literally “over.” There is no verb here in Hebrew.

The text equates the house of the LORD and the house of the tent. The house of the tent normally refers to the Tabernacle before the building of the Temple, but here it refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. The house of the LORD usually refers to the Temple itself after the time of David. It is also possible that the writer is referring to the entire history of the sanctuary, including both the time when it was a tent and then later when it was a Temple building.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness …: Verses 13 and 14, which have no parallel in 1 Samuel, explain why God rejected Saul and gave the kingdom to David. Since these two verses are a summary statement, several versions take the common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of verse 13 as a logical connector and render it “So” (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation, God’s Word) or “Thus” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). Other modern translations leave it untranslated (so Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant). The beginning of a new paragraph may be adequate to show that what follows is a summary analysis.

The Hebrew noun translated unfaithfulness may be better rendered as a verb phrase in many languages. It indicates a failure to keep a commitment. Saul had been guilty of a “breach of faith” (English Standard Version) with Yahweh, and this is given as the reason for his downfall. Some possible model translations using verbal expressions that render for his unfaithfulness are “because he disobeyed the LORD” and “because he rebelled against the LORD.”

He was unfaithful to the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD: The words in that translate a relative pronoun in Hebrew which connects the general statement about Saul’s unfaithfulness to a more specific incident. Many modern versions begin a new sentence rather than trying to make the connection in this way. Others connect the two parts by beginning the second one with “in not having fulfilled the command of the LORD” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The command of the LORD is literally “the word of the LORD.” This statement may refer to the time that Saul did not wait seven days for Samuel to arrive in Gilgal to offer sacrifices, but instead he offered sacrifices himself (1 Sam 10.8; 13.8-14). The writer may also have been alluding to Saul’s failure to kill all of the animals of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15). Or, possibly the writer is not referring to any specific event but rather is speaking in general terms.

And also consulted a medium, seeking guidance refers to the raising of the spirit of Samuel by the woman of Endor (1 Sam 28.3-25). For prohibitions against consulting the spirits of the dead, see Lev 19.31 and 20.6. The Hebrew verb translated consulted has the same consonants as the name “Saul,” so there is a play on words in the Hebrew. A medium is someone who calls up the spirits of dead people. Translations for this last part of the verse include “he tried to find guidance by consulting the spirits of the dead” (Good News Translation), “and had resorted to ghosts for guidance” (Revised English Bible), “moreover, he had consulted a ghost to seek advice” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “and he had even consulted the spirit of a dead person” (Bible en français courant), and “and also because he had sought counsel of a necromancer” (New American Bible; similarly New Jerusalem Bible). Since the reference is to the woman of Endor, translators may make explicit that the medium was a woman by saying “He even asked advice from a woman who talked to spirits of the dead” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Hurai of the brooks of Gaash (verse 32): Hurai is spelled “Hiddai” in 2 Sam 23.30. Since the Hebrew letters corresponding to “r” and “d” are very similar in appearance, scribes sometimes wrote the wrong letter. Such is probably the reason for the difference in these names. (Vowels were added much later.) A few translations read “Hiddai” here in 1 Chronicles (Einheitsübersetzung, Menge), but these differences should be retained. The brooks of Gaash is transliterated as “Nahale-gaash” in Jewish Publication Version. Good News Translation says “the valleys near Gaash,” and New Revised Standard Version has “the wadis of Gaash.” Gaash was a mountain in the hill country of Ephraim.

Abiel (verse 32) is written “Abi-albon” in 2 Sam 23.31.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Following the complete listing of the people who came over to David’s side at Hebron in verses 24-37, this verse repeats the essence of verse 23 at the beginning of the section.

All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with full intent …: The expression men of war may be rendered “warriors” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible), “fighting men” (New International Version, New Century Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or simply “soldiers” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New American Bible). Arrayed in battle order is literally “flocked together in battle line.” The Hebrew verb rendered arrayed is the same one translated “help” in verse 33. The meaning for this whole clause is probably simply “ready to go to war” (New Century Version) or “in battle array” (American Bible). New American Bible says “drawn up in battle order.” With full intent is literally “with perfect heart” (Braun). Other possible models for this phrase are “with singleness of purpose” (American Bible), “with wholehearted determination” (Holman Christian Standard Bible), and “fully determined” (Revised English Bible).

Likewise all the rest of Israel were of a single mind …: Of a single mind is literally “of one heart.” The more common idiom in English is “of one mind” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). American Bible says that they were “unanimous.” Other languages may render were of a single mind as “had the same thought” or “agreed together.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Seek the LORD and his strength: Seek the LORD should not be rendered in such a way that the reader may get the impression that God has become lost. The translation “Search for the LORD” (New Living Translation) is not a good translation since it seems to imply that God is difficult to find. Good News Translation‘s rendering “Go to the LORD” is particularly appropriate since it has both the idea of going to the place where God was to be found, and worshiping him. For Good News Translation his strength refers to the LORD’s “help.” NET Bible similarly says “the strength he gives.” But in this context his strength may have a much more specific reference. In a footnote New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh states that his strength refers to the Covenant Box as in Psa 78.61 and 132.8. A reference to the Covenant Box fits the context (see verses 4-6). Other acceptable translations of this line include “Turn to the almighty Lord” (Bible en français courant) and “Look to the LORD and be strong” (Revised English Bible).

Seek his presence continually: The Hebrew verb for seek is synonymous with the one in the previous line. His presence is literally “his face.” For the adverb continually, see the comments on 1 Chr 16.6. Revised English Bible says “at all times.” In certain languages this adverb will be best expressed by the use of the habitual form of the verb “to seek.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

But renders the Hebrew verbal transition, which is literally “And it came about” (New American Standard Bible). While the verb may be dropped without affecting the meaning, it is important to translate the Hebrew conjunction by a word that marks contrast as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. What happened in the night that followed changed everything. La Bible du Semeur uses the connector “However.”

That same night emphasizes the fact that the revelation of God to the prophet Nathan came to him on the very same night as the events described immediately preceding. Just as soon as Nathan had spoken the words presented in verse 2, he received a message from God.

The word of the LORD came to Nathan: In some languages it will not be natural to say that a word came. For this reason Good News Translation says simply “God said to Nathan.” Bijbel in Gewone Taal keeps closer to the prophetic formula with “God addressed Nathan with the words.” The Masoretic Text here has “God,” but the parallel text in 2 Sam 7.4 has “Yahweh,” the name of God, which is commonly rendered the LORD. Some versions harmonize this verse with the reading in 2 Sam (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse is not translated by Revised Standard Version because it renders the previous verse as a temporal clause. The conjunction is rendered as a logical connector (“So”) by Good News Translation and New Century Version since they both begin a new sentence at this point.

He sent his son Hadoram to King David: The name of Tou’s son in the parallel passage of 2 Sam 8.10 is “Joram,” the Israelite form of the name, which Good News Translation uses here also for the sake of consistency. New Living Translation also harmonizes the spelling of this proper name. The Hebrew name “Joram” means “Yahweh is exalted,” while Hadoram (probably a shortened form of “Hadadram”) means “Hadad is exalted” (concerning the name “Hadad,” see the comments on the name “Hadadezer” in 1 Chr 18.3). It is unlikely that the original name of this non-Israelite would have been in praise of Yahweh, so Hadoram was probably original and should be kept in translation.

To greet him, and to congratulate him: The Hebrew verb rendered congratulate is literally “bless” (New American Standard Bible), which is how it is usually translated in other contexts. Here it may be rendered “praise” or “honor.”

For Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou is literally “for a man of wars Tou was Hadadezer.” The Hebrew grammar is difficult here, but the sense seems to be this: “King Tou of Hamath and King Hadadezer had been enemies” (Contemporary English Version). It may also be more natural in some languages to introduce the whole discussion on Tou with words like these. Contemporary English Version, for example, restructures verses 9 and 10 together and places this clause in the very beginning since this presents a more logical order.

And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze: Revised Standard Version adds he sent as the context requires, that is, Tou sent his son and he sent various metal items. Bible en français courant inserts the words “Hadoram brought” (similarly Good News Translation). The Hebrew term rendered articles is a very general one that may refer to anything made. It sometimes refers to containers of liquid (Ruth 2.9) or figures (1 Sam 6.8) or weapons (1 Sam 8.12). Probably in this context it refers to a number of different types of objects. So it will be advisable to use a general term, such as “objects,” “items,” or “things.” Gold, silver, and bronze were the materials used to make the objects. The most probable meaning is that some objects were made of one metal and others of another–not that each object was made of a combination of the three metals.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

And when he taunted Israel: The Hebrew verb translated taunted has a wide variety of meanings, but the basic sense is that of “stripping away.” In the present context it means “derided” or “mocked.” Contemporary English Version uses the English idiom “made fun of.” It may also be rendered “defied” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “insulted” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). The text does not indicate the content of the taunt, but probably the giant was saying that the God of Israel could not protect them. Translators will probably need to render the name Israel in such a way as to ensure that there is no doubt in the readers’ minds that this refers to “the army of Israel” or “the people of Israel.” If it is translated literally, some readers may think that a single individual is intended.

Jonathan the son of Shime-a, David’s brother, slew him: The name Shime-a is given as “Shimei” in the parallel passage of 2 Sam 21.21. But both of these names are variants of the name “Shammah,” which appears elsewhere as the name of David’s brother (1 Sam 16.9; 17.13). Therefore translators are advised to use the form “Shammah” here, as Good News Translation and Bible en français courant have done. Contemporary English Version renders Jonathan the son of Shime-a, David’s brother simply as “David’s nephew Jonathan,” which may be helpful for other languages. In any case, it must be clear that David’s brother is Shime-a and that Jonathan is David’s nephew.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .