And Asa went out to meet him is literally “And Asa went out before him.” The English rendering to meet is rather neutral in meaning. The context allows for a more dynamic rendering such as “to fight” (Good News Translation) or “to oppose” ( NET Bible).

And they drew up their lines of battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah: For drew up their lines of battle, see the comments on 2 Chr 13.3. The exact location of the valley of Zephathah is not known today. Most modern versions retain the proper name Zephathah. But since this valley is unknown, some interpreters correct the Hebrew tsephathah (Zephathah) to read tsaphonah (“to the north”), in agreement with the Septuagint; for example, New Living Translation, La Bible Pléiade, and La Biblia Latinoamerica render the last phrase of this verse as “in the valley north of Mareshah,” and A New English Translation of the Septuagint says “in the ravine to the north of Marisa.” Instead of at Mareshah, some versions say “near Mareshah” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, Bible en français courant).

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 .