The word Likewise is supplied by Revised Standard Version but does not reflect any particular Hebrew word at the beginning of this verse. It is, however, implied by the word too that occurs later in the verse.

All the men … who had hid themselves: a reference to 13.6.

The hill country of Ephraim: see the comments on 1.1.

The verb translated followed hard after is really a form of a verb meaning “to cling to” or “to keep close to.” Here it may be rendered in some languages as “were stuck to.” Or, where this is not appropriate, translators may consider “set off in close pursuit” (Revised English Bible), or perhaps simply “chased after them” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .