This verse concludes Abijah’s speech, which began in verse 4.

Behold renders the Hebrew focusing particle, which is often not translated in modern versions (so Good News Translation). New Revised Standard Version and New American Bible express it as “See.” In languages where there exists a natural equivalent drawing attention to what follows, it will be appropriate to use it here.

God is with us at our head means God is in charge of the activities of his people. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “God is with us as our chief” (similarly La Bible du Semeur, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), New Century Version has “God himself is with us as our ruler,” and Good News Translation translates “God himself is our leader” (similarly New International Version).

And his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you: The battle trumpets were made of metal and were long and straight (see the comments on 1 Chr 13.8). According to Num 10.9, at a time of war the priests were to blow short blasts on the trumpets so that God would remember his people and deliver them from their enemies. See also Num 31.6.

O sons of Israel is a literal translation of the Hebrew, except that there is nothing equivalent to the vocative O in the original text. This phrase may be expressed as “People of Israel” (Good News Translation), “Men of Israel” (New International Version), “You Israelites” ( NET Bible), or simply “Israelites” (Bible en français courant).

Do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers: In this context fathers is better rendered “ancestors” (Good News Translation).

For you cannot succeed: Abijah tells the Israelites not to fight because they will not be victorious in battle. This clause may be rendered “you cannot win the battle” or “You will not have the victory” (Parole de Vie).

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 .