For: Here the Hebrew text has only the common conjunction, which is omitted by a number of modern versions (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In this context the conjunction seems to introduce the cause of what is stated in verses 32-33, so it is correctly rendered For.

I will defend this city to save it: God defends Jerusalem so that pagan people will not capture it. He acts in order to deliver and preserve the city. The Hebrew verb translated defend has the basic meaning of “enclose [in order to protect].” The Hebrew noun for “shield” comes from this same root, and for this reason some translations say “I shall shield this city to deliver it” (Revised English Bible; similarly New American Bible).

For my own sake: By saving the city of Jerusalem from being overrun by the Assyrian forces, Yahweh was protecting his own honor. The idea that Yahweh acts to preserve his reputation is found rather frequently in the Old Testament (see, for example, Psa 23.3; 25.11; 106.8; Isa 43.25; 48.11; Jer 14.7, 21).

And for the sake of my servant David: Since David was no longer living at the time this statement was made, some languages may require that the idea be stated in a different way. Some may say “because of what I promised to David who served me faithfully.” Compare 1 Kgs 11.12-13 and 2 Sam 7.8-16.

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 .