He set to work resolutely: This clause introduces the greater detail in the rest of the verse. The pronoun He refers to King Hezekiah. He led his people in strengthening Jerusalem’s defenses. The basic meaning of the Hebrew verb translated set to work resolutely is “to show oneself courageous” or “to prove oneself strong.” A different form of the same verb is rendered strengthened in the second part of this verse. Its first occurrence has been translated “Acting with determination” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “took courage” (An American Translation, Dillard). But New American Bible shows it more plainly to be part of an introductory statement by rendering this whole clause as “He then looked to his defenses.”

And built up all the wall that was broken down: He repaired all the broken parts of the wall around Jerusalem. The passive expression all the wall that was broken down will have to be made active in some languages by saying “the wall, where there were breaches” (Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “all the broken parts of the wall” (New Century Version).

And raised towers upon it: There is a textual problem here, as indicated by the footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. The Masoretic Text says “and raised upon the towers,” which makes little or no sense. Most translations follow the ancient versions that say “and erected towers on it” (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and suggests a rendering such as “and he added [buildings] to the towers” or “and he built higher on the towers.” Regarding the building of defense towers on city walls, see the comments on 2 Chr 14.7.

And outside it he built another wall: In addition to the existing wall, another wall was built further out, giving additional protection against the invading Assyrian army. This is probably the thick wall on the western side of the city that was found by archaeological excavations in 1969–1971. It is 6 meters (20 feet) thick.

And he strengthened the Millo in the city of David: For the Millo, see the comments on 1 Chr 11.8; for the city of David, see 1 Chr 11.5.

He also made weapons and shields in abundance: The weapons were offensive ones, while the shields were for defense. The Hebrew noun for weapons has also been translated “missiles” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “spears” (Good News Translation, New American Bible). This noun occurs seven times in the Masoretic Text, but its exact meaning is not clear. Most likely, it is a generic term used for any weapon that was hurled. The Hebrew word for shields refers to smaller shields, as in 1 Chr 5.18 and 2 Chr 9.16 (see the comments there). Since the king almost certainly did not make these weapons himself, it will be necessary in many languages to say that he had them made by others, as in Good News Translation. Contemporary English Version is similar with “He gave orders to make a large supply of weapons and shields.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .