In Revised Standard Version this verse is a temporal subordinate clause that introduces what is said in verses 10-11. Good News Translation has made it into a separate sentence (so also New Century Version, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). It still sets the stage for what follows, but is grammatically independent. This is probably a good model for many other languages to follow here.

When Tou king of Hamath heard: Tou (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Bible en français courant) is spelled “Toi” in 2 Sam 8.9. Good News Translation uses the spelling “Toi” here for the sake of consistency (so also Die Bibel: Hoffnung für alle). The small kingdom of Hamath, mentioned in verse 3, was located between Zobah and the Euphrates River. So it is likely that the people of this area endured suffering at the hands of Hadadezer and his army (see verse 10). This would explain why their king was pleased that David had defeated Hadadezer.

That David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah: The Hebrew rendered defeated could also mean “killed,” as in 1 Chr 18.5. But few versions follow this interpretation here. Since Hadadezer has been identified as king of Zobah already in verses 3 and 5 above, the phrase king of Zobah may be left implicit at the end of this verse (so Good News Translation).

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 .