Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones: Good News Translation simplifies the structure of the complex subject here in Hebrew by beginning with “The two kings….” Sitting on their thrones means that each king was sitting on his own throne. An American Translation says “sitting each on his throne.”

Arrayed in their robes: The verb arrayed is surprisingly kept in New Revised Standard Version. This passive verb may be translated “were dressed” (Contemporary English Version, God’s Word) or “clothed” (New American Bible). But a possible active verb is “wearing” (New Jerusalem Bible). The Hebrew noun rendered robes is a general word that covers any kind of garment or clothing. In this context most interpreters understand the reference to be to “royal robes” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, El libro del Pueblo de Dios), “robes of state” (New American Bible), or “ceremonial outfits” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, Osty-Trinquet suggests that the reference is to “military uniforms.” Compare also “armour” (Moffatt), which seems to be based on the Septuagint text of the parallel in 1 Kgs 22.10. The mention of the kings’ royal robes anticipates what will happen in verse 29, where Ahab tells Jehoshaphat to wear his robe during the battle while he disguises himself.

And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria: The Hebrew noun rendered threshing floor refers to an open public place where grain was threshed (see the comments on 1 Chr 13.9). The word floor in English might make the reader think of something made of wood, but threshing floors were hard level surfaces of stone in the open air, located outside of towns where the blowing winds could separate the seeds from the husks. People either walked on the grain or dragged a heavy board over it and then tossed both grain and husks into the air. The wind blew away the lighter husks but the heavier grain fell to the ground. But the point in this context seems to be that this was an open area where many people were able to gather. The phrase at the entrance of the gate of Samaria is understood by Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible to mean “just outside the gate of Samaria.” Contemporary English Version says “near the gate of Samaria,” but does not indicate whether inside or outside the gate. The meaning found in Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible is most likely the correct understanding and should probably be followed in other languages. In Old Testament times the gate was at the same time the normal market place for the inhabitants of the city and the place where legal cases were considered (see the comments on 2 Chr 8.5).

And all the prophets were prophesying before them: The Hebrew verb rendered were prophesying is the same one translated “prophesies” in verse 7, where it refers to the activity of the prophet Micaiah in foretelling the future or speaking out with judgments on behalf of God. Even though most modern versions use the verb prophesying here in verse 9, it is not the only possible translation. In 1 Kgs 18.29, where Revised Standard Version renders the same Hebrew verb “raved on,” the verb may refer to ecstatic behavior that consists of dancing and shouting. Since the prophets had already given their pronouncement in verse 5, it is likely that they are now engaged in “prophetic frenzy” (Osty-Trinquet) while the kings are waiting for Micaiah to be brought to them. Peregrino similarly says that they were “were gesticulating.” “Gesticulate” means to talk excitedly while making gestures with one’s hands. Compare also An American Translation, which says “were engaged in ecstatic prophecy.” Since the following verses indicate that these prophets were still prophesying victory for Ahab, the Hebrew verb may include both prophecy and ecstatic behavior here.

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 .