So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. The transition word here should indicate that the next event in the story is being introduced. As in several other places, this transition is represented in Good News Translation by beginning a new paragraph. This is also the case in Revised English Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh. New International Version has a new paragraph, as well as the word “Then.”

Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle: Although the Hebrew word for people is a very general one, it is often used of armies. In this context of combat the people who were with him is better rendered “the soldiers who were with him,” “the troops with him” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or simply “his soldiers” (Contemporary English Version). Drew near before the Syrians for battle means the Israelite army moved forward in preparation for the planned attack. Some will want to translate “approached the Syrians to begin the fight” or “confronted the Syrians.”

And they fled before him: In most cases it will probably be a good idea to make clear which group ran away since the plural pronoun they could be misunderstood. Good News Translation does this by referring explicitly to “the Syrians.” New Living Translation, New Century Version, and God’s Word are similar with “the Arameans.” Before him means before Joab and his army. It was certainly not Joab alone who caused the Syrians to run away. So it may be wise in some languages to make it clear that Joab and all his soldiers were involved by using a plural pronoun, saying “before them.” In other languages it may be best to render this whole clause simply as “they ran away,” leaving implicit the fact that it was Joab’s army that caused them to do so.

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 .