Verses 11-13 indicate that David gave to Solomon the plans for building the various parts of the Temple. Nearly all interpreters and translations understand verses 14-18 to be a continuation of this thought, meaning that David gave instructions about how much silver and gold was to be used to make the utensils for the Temple services, which included the lamps, lampstands, tables, forks, bowls, jars, altar, and cherubim.

If this interpretation is followed, it will be necessary to add some kind of introduction to verse 14, such as “He gave instructions as to how much” (Good News Translation), “He determined the weight” (El libro del Pueblo de Dios), “[David specified] the weight” (God’s Word), or “He indicated the amount” (Peregrino. International Children’s Bible follows this interpretation by rendering the whole verse as “Many things made of gold or silver would be used in the Temple. David told Solomon how much gold or silver should be used to make each thing.”

However, it is possible to understand the implied verb phrase at the beginning of verses 14-18 to be “He gave,” which is found in verse 11, and the meaning would then be that David gave the gold and silver needed for making these objects. According to this interpretation, verses 14-18 do not say that David gave instructions for making these objects (as Good News Translation states), but that he actually gave the gold and silver needed to make them. This interpretation is found in several Spanish translations (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Nueva Versión Internacional, Reina-Valera revisada, Reina-Valera revisada). See the Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translation of these verses, which is quoted at the end of the comments on verse 18.

The weight of gold for all golden vessels is literally “for the gold by the weight for the gold.” Revised Standard Version adds the word vessels as the sense requires.

For each service is literally “for all the vessels of service and service.” The sense of this phrase is “according to their respective use” (Bible en français courant). The Hebrew word translated service has to do with work or labor, but in this context it seems to refer to different uses or different ways in which the utensils would be employed in the work of the Temple. New International Version says “to be used in various kinds of service.” Neither Good News Translation nor Contemporary English Version retains this phrase, but there is no apparent reason to omit it from the translation.

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 .