Some commentators have observed that it is Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, and not the king of Israel who confirms that Elisha is a true prophet. Perhaps this emphasizes the unfaithfulness of Joram in matters concerning God.

The word of the LORD is with him: This is a way of affirming the status of Elisha as a genuine prophet. In a similar way the prophetic status of Samuel was confirmed by the words “the LORD was with him” (1 Sam 3.19) and later “The word of the LORD came to Samuel” (1 Sam 15.10). New Century Version translates here “He speaks the LORD’s truth.” Other ways of expressing the meaning include “He is a true prophet” (Good News Translation) and “This man will know how to tell us what the Lord wants to tell us” (Bible en français courant).

The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom: It may be unnatural in some languages to speak of the three kings in different ways (Jehoshaphat by name and the other two by titles) as the Hebrew does—especially in the order of the text. Some may prefer to say “the kings of Israel, of Judah and of Edom” (Parole de Vie). Others may wish to use the proper names in all three cases, but the name of the king of Edom is not given. Another possibility is “Jehoshaphat and the other two kings,” retaining the focus of the text.

Went down to him: There is no particular emphasis on movement downward in the Hebrew verb here. Translators should feel free to use the ordinary word in their language for “went.”

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 .