But: The common Hebrew conjunction here marks contrast since Jehoiada’s action constitutes a break with the inaction of the previous six years. At the very least, this turning point in the story should be marked by the beginning of a new paragraph, but a contrastive conjunction should probably be used also.
The seventh year: In some languages it will be essential to clarify the meaning of these words. Jehoiada’s action began during the seventh year after the massacre of the royal family and the hiding of Joash. It will be possible, therefore, to say “seven years after Joash had been hidden,” “during the seventh year of the hiding of prince Joash,” or “In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign” (New Living Translation).
As mentioned in the discussion on verse 2, Jehoiada was the husband of Jehosheba. This central character in the story is later spoken of as “Jehoiada the priest” (11.9, 15; 12.2, 7, 9). In many cases it will be more natural to give this more detailed information when the character is first introduced rather than providing it later in the story (so Good News Translation). Some commentators, however, see the absence of this detail at the beginning of the story as an intentional stylistic device. The events that follow in this story indicate that Jehoiada was the high priest, so Good News Translation identifies him here as “the priest” rather than “a priest.” Parole de Vie identifies him here as “the high priest” and this may be a good rendering in other languages also.
Sent and brought: These two verbs refer to a single action, so in many languages they will be rendered simply as “summoned” (New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version) or “sent for” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). For the use of the verb “send” with another verb, see the discussion on Hebrew serial verbs in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 15-16.
The Hebrew word translated captains is followed by another word that is not reflected in Revised Standard Version. The two words are rendered “captains of the hundreds” by American Bible since the Hebrew text actually contains the word for “hundreds” (similarly New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version). Some versions attempt to convey the meaning with words like “regimental commanders” (New Jerusalem Bible).
The Carites: This group is mentioned only here and in verse 19. Some scholars see this as a reference to the Carians mentioned in Herodotus’s history of Egypt, and this is the translation found in several translations (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, La Bible Pléiade, Nouvelle Bible Segond, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Osty-Trinquet, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente footnote). The Carians came from Asia Minor and served as mercenaries in Egypt in the seventh century B.C., but the linguistic evidence is inadequate to identify the Carites with the Carians.
Others identify the Carites with the “Cherethites” mentioned in 2 Sam 8.18; 15.18; 20.7, 23; 1 Kgs 1.38, 44 (so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). In 2 Sam 20.23 the Masoretic Text does seem to refer to “Carites,” but the reading in the margin of the Masoretic Text for that verse corrects the text to read “Cherethites.” In either case, even if the identification with the Carians or the Cherethites is not accepted, the context indicates that this group is to be taken as similar to the guards who are mentioned next in the list. The rendering “royal bodyguard” (Good News Translation), therefore, is appropriate. The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles makes no mention of these foreign mercenaries.
The Hebrew word rendered the guards also occurs in 1 Kgs 14.27-28; 2 Kgs 10.25; 11.6, 11, 13, 19. It is literally “the runners” (so Osty-Trinquet, La Bible Pléiade; American Bible says “the outrunners”). See the discussion on 1 Kgs 1.5 regarding the duties of these men.
Had them come is literally “caused them to come.” This is another way of saying the same thing as sent and brought earlier in the verse.
He made a covenant with them is literally “he cut with them a covenant.” See the discussion on this Hebrew idiom in 1 Kgs 8.9 (see also 1 Kgs 20.34). In verse 17 the covenant has a religious dimension, but here in verse 4 it is possible to say “he made an agreement with them.” New Jerusalem Bible has “He made a pact with them.”
Put them under oath: This renders a causative form of the Hebrew verb meaning “to swear.” In some languages it is redundant to say “swear an oath” since the verb “swear” already contains the idea of an oath. So it is quite possible to say simply “made them swear.” But in certain cases the language may require a more specific statement of what is sworn. The context here seems to suggest something like “made them promise loyalty” (New Century Version).
In the house of the LORD: These words occur twice in the verse. The second occurrence is not in the Septuagint and the ancient Syriac. For this reason some modern translations omit these words (so New Jerusalem Bible, Osty-Trinquet).
He showed them the king’s son may be rendered “he presented the king’s son to them.” In some cases it may be more appropriate to say “he brought them into the presence of the king’s son [or, Joash].” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente translates the king’s son as “the heir to the throne.”
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 .