Now Alexander the king heard of all the promises which Demetrius had sent to Jonathan: The connector Now may be rendered “Meanwhile.” Alexander the king is Alexander Epiphanes (see verse 1). He was new to the area, and did not know about the recent Jewish wars, but he learned about them. He could see that Jonathan would be a useful ally. But he also heard that Demetrius was trying to win Jonathan’s favor. Alexander the king heard may be expressed as “someone told King Alexander.” An alternative model for the beginning of this verse is “Meanwhile, people told King Alexander that Demetrius had promised Jonathan many things.”

And men told him of the battles that Jonathan and his brothers had fought, of the brave deeds that they had done: These men would be the same ones who informed King Alexander about Demetrius’ promises to Jonathan. We may translate “and they also told him that Jonathan and his brothers were brave fighters [or, soldiers] who had fought against their enemies many times.”

And of the troubles that they had endured: Good News Bible has a good model here.

It is possible to use direct speech in this verse by saying:

• Meanwhile, people told King Alexander, “Demetrius has promised Jonathan many things. He and his brothers are brave soldiers who have fought in many wars [or, who have fought their enemies many times]. They have also endured many troubles.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.