Now translates the common Hebrew conjunction, but it is frequently left untranslated in modern English versions in this context (so Good News Translation).

The Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim: According to the Revised Standard Version translation (also New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible), the action described in this verse happened before David went out to fight the Philistines (verse 8). Following this same interpretation, La Biblia: Traducción en Lenguaje Actual combines verses 8-10 as follows:

When the Philistines found out that David was already king of all Israel, they united in order to attack him and they went to the valley of Rephaim, where they began to attack the small neighboring villages. But David found out about it and went out to meet them. There he consulted God….

But the Hebrew verbs rendered had come and made a raid are better translated in the simple past tense as in Good News Translation, indicating that the events of verse 9 followed those in verse 8. NJPSV does this by saying “The Philistines came and raided….”

The Hebrew verb rendered made a raid may mean “to spread out” (so Reina-Valera revisada, La Sainte Bible: La version Etablie par les moines de Maredsous, Peregrino). If so, the last clause means the Philistine troops took up their positions all over the valley. But the verb more likely means “to stretch oneself toward the plunder,” that is, “to make an attack” either as warriors or as robbers. Possible translations here include “attacked and robbed the people” (New Century Version), “engaged in plundering” (Anchor Bible), and “began plundering” (Good News Translation). Compare also “were raiding the nearby villages” (Contemporary English Version). An American Translation says they made this raid because David had withdrawn before them (see the comments on the previous verse).

The valley of Rephaim was a broad valley or plain located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) to the southwest of Jerusalem, running from the west between Jerusalem and Bethlehem (see the comments on 1 Chr 11.15). In some languages it may be necessary to supply certain implied information, namely, that there were villages of Israelites in this valley. The Philistines did not merely raid the valley, but they attacked the people in the villages and took their belongings (so Contemporary English Version).

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 .