In this context servants refers to Hezekiah’s court officials mentioned in verse 2. New International Version and New Living Translation translate “officials” while La Bible du Semeur speaks of “ministers.”

Came to Isaiah: The context of this verse makes it quite clear that there is more implied in the verb came to than simply arriving at the place where Isaiah was. They obviously also relayed the message from King Hezekiah before the prophet spoke. This becomes obvious when reading verse 6 where Isaiah responds to that message. For this reason it is legitimate to make the implied information explicit by saying “came to Isaiah and told him what the king had said.”

Since verses 3-4 already tell us what Hezekiah’s officials said to Isaiah, this verse retells that they went and spoke to Isaiah, so Good News Translation provides a helpful model with “When Isaiah received King Hezekiah’s message.” This avoids the impression that the messengers spoke to Isaiah (verses 3-4) before they actually came to him (verse 5).

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 .