The two divisions of you: The word translated divisions is actually the ordinary Hebrew word for “hand.” But it is taken here in a special, technical sense as referring to a kind of military unit. This phrase would presumably refer to the groups labeled B and C in the diagram above. Some other modern renderings for divisions are “sections” (New Jerusalem Bible), “companies” (Revised English Bible), and “units” (New Living Translation).

Which come on duty in force on the sabbath: As indicated in the discussion on verse 5, most modern versions understand the Hebrew verb rendered come on duty (literally “going out”) to mean “go off duty.” These two groups would not normally be on duty on the Sabbath day when the events were to occur, but they are being assigned special duties on this occasion.

Guard the house of the LORD: As in verses 3-4, the house of the LORD refers, of course, to the Temple. Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version omit the words “to the king” at the end of this verse in Hebrew. The exact sense of these words is not clear, but the most likely meaning is that these two groups are to guard the Temple and thereby protect the young king, who was being kept inside the Temple. Good News Translation says “stand guard at the Temple to protect the king.” Another possible model is “guard the LORD’s temple and protect the king” (NET Bible).

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 .