Make ready: The imperative verb used here in Hebrew literally means “tie” or “bind,” and no object is added to it. But the context makes it quite clear that what is intended is the binding or harnessing of horses to the king’s chariot. New Jerusalem Bible translates quite literally with “Harness!” But Revised English Bible makes the order sound more natural in English by providing the object, saying “Harness my chariot.”
They made ready his chariot: The Hebrew verb here is singular, but several ancient translations have the plural. Many English versions translate this by using a passive expression, such as “it was hitched up” (New International Version) or “that was done” (God’s Word). New Century Version reflects the singular with “the servant got Joram’s chariot ready.”
Joram … and Ahaziah … set out, each in his chariot, and went to meet Jehu: Both Joram, who had not completely recovered from his previous injury, and Ahaziah, his visitor from the southern kingdom of Judah, rode out in separate chariots to meet Jehu. The verbs set out and went render the same verb in Hebrew. In some languages it will be natural to translate these two verbs with one verb; for example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu.”
The property of Naboth the Jezreelite: The story of Naboth’s vineyard is related in 1 Kgs 21. But here it is no longer called a “vineyard” since by this time it was probably used for other purposes. It is simply referred to as property (literally “portion,” that is, a plot of land). At this point in the story, it seems to be only an incidental detail about the location of the place where the two kings met Jehu. But in verses 25-26, it is seen as being much more significant. Translators should be careful not to give the impression that Naboth was still living and in possession of the property at this time. It is for this reason that some modern versions translate “the property that Naboth used to own” or “the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite” (New International Version).
Good News Translation omits the qualifying phrases king of Israel, king of Judah and the Jezreelite, which describe Joram, Ahaziah, and Naboth respectively. Naturalness in the receptor language should be the determining factor in deciding whether to include these phrases or to leave them implicit.
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 .