And Solomon sent word to Hiram: The Hebrew is literally “And Solomon sent to Hiram saying.” In many languages it will be necessary to include a direct object for the verb sent, as in Revised Standard Version (word) or Good News Translation and Revised English Bible (“this message”). Since this is a response to Hiram’s sending a delegation to Solomon, certain versions have rendered the verb as “sent … back” (New Living Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version).

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 .