The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse is probably best translated as a logical connector, such as So, “Therefore” (Revised English Bible), or “Consequently” (New Jerusalem Bible). It was as a result of the extreme fear expressed in the previous verse that the leaders sent their message of submission to Jehu.

The subject of the verb sent in this verse includes two individual leaders (he who was over the palace, and he who was over the city) and two groups (the elders and the guardians). The complex nature of the designation of the two individuals may complicate the structure of the sentence. New Revised Standard Version speaks of “the steward of the palace, and the governor of the city,” while Contemporary English Version translates “The prime minister, the mayor of the city” and New Jerusalem Bible says “the master of the palace, the governor of the city.”

Sent to Jehu, saying: This wording leaves certain information implicit that may need to be made explicit in translation. Many languages will have to supply something like “sent the following message to Jehu” or “sent a messenger to Jehu with the following words.”

We are your servants: The same expression of submission is spoken to Joseph by his brothers (Gen 50.18) and by the Hivites to Joshua (Josh 9.8). It is a way of showing subservience and willingness to comply with whatever the “master” wants. The statement that follows, we will do all that you bid us, serves only to reinforce the idea of submission.

We will not make anyone king: Although the leaders are submissive in their opening statements, here they refuse to do the one thing that Jehu had commanded them. Because this contrasts with their professed compliance to Jehu’s will, it should probably be introduced with the conjunction “But” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version).

Do whatever is good in your eyes: This is yet another expression of submission. In many languages the literal rendering here will be replaced by a more natural and meaningful expression along the following lines: “do whatever you think right” (New Revised Standard Version), “act as you think best” (New Jerusalem Bible, Moffatt), or “do whatever you like” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .