And: in this context the common Hebrew conjunction may be translated in such a way to show that what follows is a continuation of the story, and that it happened almost immediately. Some languages may prefer something like “Then” as in Good News Translation. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh handles the transition by the verb used in the sentence that follows: “A fierce battle ensued that day.” Moffatt speaks of “the fight that followed.”

The battle was very fierce: that is, “All the other men started fighting, and both groups fought very hard” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

That day: Good News Translation omits these words as unnecessary in the context. If nothing is said readers will almost certainly assume that the battle was that day and not some other day. The sense may be, however, that the battle lasted “the entire day” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Were beaten: the text provides the translator with all the information necessary to change this passive expression into an active one: “David’s soldiers defeated [or overpowered, or conquered] Abner and the soldiers of Israel.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .