And: in some languages the transition word “But” may be more natural in this context, since people did not normally expect a defeated army to return. In other cases “Then” may be better, indicating the passage of a certain amount of time since the first battle.

Came up yet again: this seems to indicate a completely different battle, but taking place on the same battlefield.

Spread out: see verse 18.

Valley of Rephaim: see the comments on verse 18.

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 .