This verse continues the sentence begun in verse 2. The first part of the verse states what Solomon is to do. The end of the verse states what the result will be if he keeps God’s commandments.
Keep the charge of the LORD your God: The verb keep and the noun charge have the same root in Hebrew, although in most languages it will not be possible to reflect this fact. The idea is that of doing what God requires or obeying his commands. For the LORD your God, see 1 Kgs 1.17.
Walking in his ways: This is a figurative expression since the verb “walk” is not to be understood in its literal sense. It refers to the behavior or conduct that David wanted to be characteristic of Solomon. It has been translated in a variety of ways, including “conform to his ways” (Revised English Bible), “do what he asks” (Parole de Vie), and “follow his teachings” (Contemporary English Version). See the comments on a similar expression in 1 Kgs 3.3.
The writer uses a number of synonyms for God’s will: charge, ways, statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies. Good News Translation groups these various nouns together with the two words “laws and commands.” It may be possible to find a different noun in the receptor language for each of the Hebrew nouns, but it is not necessary to do so since a clear distinction does not seem intended. The Hebrew word rendered statute means an authoritative statement, a pronouncement of some kind; and the word rendered ordinance has a wide range of meanings, including “custom,” “command,” and “conformity to rule.” Testimonies renders a Hebrew noun based on a root meaning “to bear witness.” In his laws God bears witness to his purpose. Anchor Bible translates his testimonies as “his warnings.” Many of the same synonyms are found together in a number of other Old Testament passages including Deut 11.1; 30.16. It is also well known that they are used as synonyms in Psa 119.
As it is written in the law of Moses refers to the teachings of Moses where Solomon can find out what constitutes the will of God.
Prosper may also be rendered “have success” (Moffatt; similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation, Anchor Bible). The same thought is found in Deut 29.9.
Wherever you turn is literally “all where you turn there.” Some interpreters take these words in a literal physical sense of motion. Good News Translation, for example, says “wherever you go.” Others take them in a figurative sense since the Hebrew verb “to turn” may mean “to pay attention to [something].” De Vries, for example, says “in all to which you turn your attention.” Perhaps such a fine distinction is not intended by the writer. The sense of the words all that you do and wherever you turn is probably correctly expressed as “in everything you do and undertake” (New Jerusalem Bible).
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 .