But they did not listen: The common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse is correctly translated But to show the contrast between the expectations of the LORD and the actual behavior of the people of Judah.

The verb listen may be better rendered “obey” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “submit to.” Or, together with the negation in this context, the verb “disobeyed” (Contemporary English Version) may be used in translation.

The Hebrew verb translated seduced is more literally “caused to go astray.” The English word seduced often has sexual connotations, but since the meaning of the Hebrew term here is much more general, a different verb should be sought, such as “misled” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) or “led … astray” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible).

The nations … whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel: The nations refers to the same pagan clans mentioned in verse 2. Regarding God’s destruction of these people, see Josh 9.24.

Before the people of Israel has been understood in various ways: “for the Israelites” (New Jerusalem Bible), “in favour of the Israelites” (Revised English Bible), “at the coming of the Israelites” (New American Bible), and “to make room for his people” (Bible en français courant). The Hebrew seems to mean something closer to the renderings in New American Bible and Bible en français courant rather than the ones found in New Jerusalem Bible and Revised English Bible. Compare also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which may serve as a good model: “the people whom the Lord had destroyed at the arrival of the Israelites in the region” (similarly Good News Translation). See the comments at 1 Kgs 14.24 for the same expression.

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 .