Spears: The traditional Hebrew text actually has the singular “spear,” referring to a weapon about two or three meters long (six to ten feet long). If the singular is translated (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), the reference may be to the sword that David took from Goliath (1 Sam 21.9). The parallel passage in 2 Chr 23.9, as well as several ancient versions of this passage, have the plural “spears.” But even if the singular is considered the correct reading, this is almost certainly to be taken in a collective sense and therefore translated by a plural. The use of the word “swords” in place of “spears” in Contemporary English Version does not seem to correspond to the Hebrew text and is not recommended.

Shields renders a rather rare Hebrew noun that is not the usual word for “shields,” but which is probably a synonym for “shields.” While the majority of modern versions translate it in this way, a number of scholars think the Hebrew noun should be rendered “quivers” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, American Bible, Hobbs). The rendering “quivers” seems to fit the context in Jer 51.11, where it is used with the verb “to fill” (rendered “Take up” in Revised Standard Version). Furthermore, one part of the Septuagint tradition translates this as “quiver” here in 2 Kings. But it should also be noted that this is not the usual Hebrew noun for “quivers” either. In certain languages the word shields may have to be translated by a descriptive phrase, such as “protecting things” or “flat things for defending the body.” Shields were often made of metal (1 Kgs 10.16-17), but sometimes of other materials such as leather or wood.

That had been King David’s: This probably does not mean that these weapons were all used personally by King David. Rather, they could have been instruments used by important leaders in his army. Or they may have been the weapons that David and his men took from the army of Hadadezer, king of the Syrian state of Zobah, and later transported to Jerusalem (2 Sam 8.7). In either case they may have been considered symbolic of the authenticity of the succession of Joash to the throne of David. The text does not make it clear whether these spears and shields were ceremonial armor that the young Joash was to carry or whether the guards themselves were to carry these and be prepared to use them to defend Joash.

Which were in the house of the LORD: The weapons were probably stored in a special storehouse within the confines of the Temple.

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 .