Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together …: Then renders the common Hebrew conjunction as a temporal connector, but a logical connector such as “So” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, New Century Version, God’s Word, Moffatt) is also appropriate here. As Good News Translation makes explicit, the king of Israel refers to Ahab. Some interpreters suggest that the prophets here were prophets of Baal who were not killed by Elijah, so they were not true prophets of the LORD. Throughout the ancient Near East, prophets were connected with the royal courts. The way in which translators understand the identity of these prophets will have a direct bearing on the translation of the next verse.

Four hundred men: Revised Standard Version says these prophets were men, but the Hebrew noun here sometimes includes women as well as men. Since some women in the Old Testament are called prophets, it is possible that some of these four hundred prophets were women. New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation use inclusive language by saying “four hundred of them.” Others may say “four hundred people.” New Century Version combines the prophets with four hundred men, saying “four hundred prophets.”

And said to them: Since a question follows this quote frame, the verb said may be rendered “asked” (Good News Translation).

Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear?: Ahab asks the prophets whether or not he should attack the city of Ramoth. The use of the first person plural pronoun we in this context may be taken as a “royal we” (referring to the king alone), or it may refer to Ahab and Jehoshaphat, including their armies. Good News Translation understands it as “royal we” by rendering it “I.” If the pronoun we is kept, then it should be taken as exclusive in those languages that distinguish between first person plural inclusive and exclusive pronouns, because the four hundred prophets would not be expected to take part in the battle. Forbear is a somewhat archaic term that is better rendered “hold back” (New Jerusalem Bible). New Revised Standard Version and Dillard translate “refrain,” but the Hebrew verb here may also be understood as meaning “withdraw” (Anchor Bible).

And they said: The verb said may be rendered “answered” (Good News Translation) since a response to Ahab’s question follows.

The Hebrew verb rendered Go up probably has a military meaning in this context, so the movement in an upward direction is not important to the story. For this reason it is translated “Attack” by Good News Translation and Revised English Bible. Other versions render it without the military connotation but also without any reference to upward movement; for example, New Living Translation says “go right ahead,” while New International Version and New Century Version have simply “Go.”

For God will give it into the hand of the king is literally “and God will give into the hand of the king.” Revised Standard Version adds the direct object it as English style requires. Hand is used figuratively here to mean “power” or “control.” The prophets show respect to Ahab by referring to him as the king even though they are addressing him. But this third person reference may be confusing to readers in the receptor language. It will therefore be necessary to use a second person reference and some other way to indicate respect. In some cases this will mean using a term of address such as “sir” or “your Majesty.” Revised English Bible renders the whole clause as “God will deliver it into your majesty’s hands.” New Century Version says simply “because God will hand them over to you.” Another possible model is “Sir, God will give you control over it.”

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 .