Prayer … supplication: See the comments on these two nouns in verse 28.

Maintain their cause is literally “do their judgment [mishpat in Hebrew].” The Hebrew noun mishpat is often rendered “judgment” (see 1 Kgs 3.28), but in this context the idea is that God is asked to execute judgment on their behalf or “defend their cause” (New American Bible). Compare New Jerusalem Bible: “uphold their cause.” This same expression appears again in verse 59, where Good News Translation translates it “be merciful to….” In this case others have translated “come to their aid” (Bible en français courant) or simply “help them” (International Children’s Bible).

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 .