This verse and the following one seem to refer to the incidents with the king of Egypt (Gen 12.10-20) and with Abimelech, king of Gerar (Gen 20.1-8), both involving Sarah, Abraham’s wife. But here these incidents are made more general.

He allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account: Following the form of the Hebrew, Revised Standard Version continues the sentence begun in verse 19 and has no transition word here. However, several modern versions mark the contrast between verse 20, where the Israelites are described as not being in a safe and secure situation, and this verse, where God’s protection over them is emphasized. Like Good News Translation, some versions use the conjunction “But” (New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Nouvelle version Segond révisée, La Bible du Semeur, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Other possible connectors are “Yet” (New Living Translation) and “However” (Parole de Vie).

The pronoun he refers to God, but if this is not clear, then it should be made explicit as in Good News Translation (so also Bible en français courant, La Bible du Semeur, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). As is evident from the reading of the two passages in Genesis mentioned above, the meaning of he rebuked kings on their account is that God warned foreign kings not to harm his servants. On their account may be translated “on their behalf” or “in order to defend them.”

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 .