The speech of this third commanding officer is understandably unlike those of the first two. He does not cite the king’s command, but rather pleads for his own life and for the lives of the men under him. His plea continues in verse 14.

Again: See the comments at verse 11.

While the text has simply the king, some translations remind their readers that the king in question is Ahaziah (New American Bible, New Century Version). This may also be helpful in other languages.

The captain of a third fifty is literally “the captain of fifty thirty.” The Hebrew here is very difficult to understand. Some of the ancient versions translated the word “thirty” as if it were singular (“three”) and applied it to the captain. A number of modern translations also seem to read the number as “three.” New International Version, for example, takes the same solution as the ancient versions, reading “a third captain” (also New Jerusalem Bible). Other translations take the Hebrew word “thirty” with the word fifty (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version). Revised English Bible, for example, says “the captain of a third company.” New American Bible takes the word “thirty” as referring to the third time, beginning this verse as follows: “Again, for the third time, Ahaziah sent a captain…” (similarly Nueva Versión Internacional, Parole de Vie). Good News Translation avoids the difficulty by its freer rendering “Once more the king sent an officer….” Since the next sentence clearly refers to the third captain, the meaning is clear even if the Hebrew grammar is not. And the meaning is basically the same whether one follows New International Version, Revised Standard Version, or Good News Translation.

Fell on his knees before Elijah, and entreated him …: The different attitude of this officer is reflected in his physical behavior. In Hebrew the same expression for kneeling is used in 1 Kgs 8.54, where Solomon kneels before Yahweh. This action and the following verb, translated entreated, show an attitude of submission (see the comments on “supplication” in 1 Kgs 8.28, which renders the same Hebrew root). In addition to the introductory verb entreated, the actual quotation repeats the idea of submission with the Hebrew particle of entreaty rendered I pray you. In many languages this will be rendered “I beg you” (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.12). The words these fifty servants of yours also indicate submission.

Let my life … be precious in your sight is literally “let my soul [or, life] … be precious … in your eyes.” This is clearly a plea for mercy to avoid the same fate as the first two groups of soldiers. It will be unwise to try to translate it literally in most languages. Some possible models are “have regard for my life…” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “spare my life…” (Moffatt), “let my life … count for something in your sight” (New American Bible), and “be kind to me … Let us live” (Contemporary English Version). In other languages the same idea may have to be stated more directly as “don’t kill me…” or “let me live….” For the expression precious in your sight, compare 1 Sam 26.21; Psa 116.15 and Isa 43.4.

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 .