Nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time: Literally this verse begins in Hebrew with the words “for if as the time tomorrow….” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “I meant that tomorrow…,” while New Century Version says “About this time tomorrow….” But most versions somehow mark contrast with words such as “nevertheless” (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version), “but” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, Contemporary English Version), and “however” (Good News Translation). The Hebrew grammar here probably should be understood as expressing what would absolutely happen. The first two Hebrew words rendered nevertheless may be translated “I assure [you]” to express this sense. Anchor Bible says “Indeed.” How the Hebrew verb rendered I will send should be translated depends on how verses 3-6 are interpreted. See the comments at the end of the discussion on this verse.

The Hebrew noun rendered servants occurs twice in this verse, and in neither instance is the reference to household servants. Good News Translation translates each one as the context requires. The first noun refers to the “officers” of the Syrian king, and the second noun refers to the “officials” of the Israelite king. It is possible, however, that the second noun is not restricted to Ahab’s officials. Revised English Bible, for example, gives the term a broader use with its rendering “subjects.” That is, Ahab’s servants may refer to all of the Israelite people living in Samaria.

Your house may be more appropriately translated “your palace” in those languages that have a special word for the residence of the king.

Whatever pleases them: The Masoretic Text, which is followed by New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Anchor Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond and Osty-Trinquet, reads “whatever pleases your [Ahab’s] eyes.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are based on several of the ancient versions, which have the third person plural pronoun them, referring to Benhadad’s officers (also La Bible Pléiade, New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and observes that the expression “everything delightsome in your eyes” refers to whatever is most precious to the king.

According to both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (and nearly all other translations), verse 5 repeats what Benhadad had originally said in verse 3, that is, verse 5 does not make any new demands; but then verse 6 states what Benhadad now proposes to do in addition to his original demand.

Nelson, however, presents a different way of reading and interpreting the Hebrew. He suggests that originally Benhadad had only theoretically demanded Ahab’s possessions (verse 3). In other words, Benhadad did not expect Ahab to give him his gold, silver, and family members; rather Benhadad’s words were merely a way of saying that he expected Ahab to be subservient to him. But in verse 5 Benhadad is in fact demanding that Ahab deliver his money and his family members; and verse 6 states what Benhadad will do if Ahab does not do what he is demanding in verse 5. Nelson (page 132) translates verses 5-6 as follows:
(5) I am sending [note the present tense] to you to say, “Deliver to me your silver and gold, your wives and your children,” (6) for if I send my servants to you at this time tomorrow, they shall search your house … and lay hands on everything you delight in and take it away.

The Hebrew verb translated “I sent” in verse 5 occurs in the same form in 1 Kgs 15.19, where Revised Standard Version correctly translates it “I am sending.” So grammatically, Nelson’s translation is possible. Note also that Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation give a contrastive rendering of the first two Hebrew words in this verse, and Nelson gives a simple conditional rendering (“for if”). Again, either rendering of the Hebrew seems grammatically possible. Translators must simply choose between the two ways of understanding this text.

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 .