His servants: See verse 23.
Behold now … let us …: The Hebrew text of this verse twice has a particle of entreaty, which is sometimes translated “please.” Here neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation attempts to translate it. But compare Walsh’s rendering: “Look, m’lord … let us, if you will….” In addition, these words are introduced by the Hebrew focusing particle rendered Behold, which is also left untranslated by many English versions.
We have heard: The first person plural pronoun we should be understood and translated as inclusive since the king as well as his officials had probably heard this rumor.
The kings of the house of Israel: It will be misleading in most languages to translate this expression literally. Most modern versions say simply “the kings of Israel.”
Merciful kings is literally “kings of mercy.” Regarding the Hebrew noun chesed, which is rendered merciful, see the comments on “deal loyally” in 1 Kgs 2.7. This noun often refers to loyalty or faithfulness in fulfillment of a covenant relationship. For this reason De Vries translates the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings as “the kings of the House of Israel are certainly kings who honor treaties.” Revised English Bible expresses the sense as “the Israelite kings are men to be trusted,” and Nouvelle Bible Segond says “the kings of the house of Israel are loyal.” Anchor Bible similarly says “the kings of the House of Israel are kings of loyalty,” but this is not idiomatic English. For translation reasons many languages will require a verbal expression to translate this idea; for example, a possible rendering is “the kings of Israel are kings who show mercy to people” or “Israel’s kings keep their agreements” (Contemporary English Version), depending on which interpretation is followed. Either interpretation is acceptable.
Let us put sackcloth on our loins: Sackcloth was worn to show a person’s sorrow or penitence. The wearing of coarse cloth is referred to frequently in the Old Testament (for example, Gen 37.34; 2 Sam 21.10; Psa 30.11). In many languages it will be wise to make explicit the meaning of this action by adding “to show our sorrow” or something similar. New Living Translation renders this clause as “So let’s humble ourselves by wearing sackcloth.” For loins see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.5.
Ropes upon our heads: The exact form and meaning of this practice is uncertain, but it probably is a symbol of submission or captivity. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus states that this was a Syrian form of supplication. The exact manner of this action is not clear. The Hebrew says simply “ropes on our heads” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). This seems to mean that the ropes were wrapped around their heads (so Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, La Bible Pléiade) and not simply coiled up and placed on top of their heads. Other interpreters understand this to mean that ropes were hung around their necks (so Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Maredsous). While there is no way to be certain which interpretation is correct, the latter seems more logical.
Perhaps he will spare your life: Your life is the reading of the Masoretic Text. Some modern versions follow the ancient versions in reading “our lives” (so Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), but the Masoretic Text fits well with what follows in the next verse.
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 .