35You shall go up following him. Let him enter and sit on my throne; he shall be king in my place, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.”
The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)
In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 1:35:
Kupsabiny: “Then, you come up to be following him from behind and I have allowed/let him sit on my chair of kingship/throne to replace me. I have appointed him to become king of the community of Israel and of Judah.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then you are to come up with him and he is to come and sit on my throne and will become reign in my place. I have chosen him to be king of Israel and Judah."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Afterwards you (plur.) accompany him in coming-back here, and he will-sit on my throne and will-succeed me as king. He is the one I chose to rule/reign over the entire Israel and Juda.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then follow him back here, and he will come and sit on my throne. He will then become king instead of me. I have appointed him to be the ruler of all the people of Israel and of Judah.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
The pronoun, You, at the beginning of this verse is plural and probably refers to the entire group although the focus is on Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah to whom David is speaking (verse 32).
Come up after him is translated “Return to the city with him” by Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente (similarly Bible en français courant). The entire group was instructed to accompany Solomon back to Jerusalem following the coronation ceremony at the spring. The explicit mention of movement in an upward direction here and in verses 40 and 45 may or may not be necessary depending on receptor language usage in such a situation. Here it refers to a return to the palace area.
Sit upon my throne: In some languages it will be necessary to say something like “he will sit on the king-chair on which I am now sitting.”
He shall be king in my stead: Some more natural ways of stating this idea are “he will take my place as king” (Contemporary English Version) and “he will … rule in my place” (New Century Version).
Ruler translates a Hebrew term often rendered “prince.” This noun has a wide range of meaning, referring to persons who have widespread influence, from court officials and heads of families, to military officers, and to leaders appointed by God, including high priests and kings. The word probably means “the designated one” or “the one proclaimed.” It may therefore be rendered “chosen leader” or “designated ruler.”
Israel … Judah: See the comments on verse 34.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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