Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem: The pronoun they refers to every man of Judah and Jerusalem, that is, the army of Judah. For the sake of clarity this phrase may be shifted forward to become the subject of the verb returned as New Revised Standard Version has done. In order to avoid obscuring the relationship between Jerusalem and Judah, it will be better in many languages to say “all the soldiers from Jerusalem and the rest of Judah.”

And Jehoshaphat at their head may be rendered “and Jehoshaphat was in front of them all” or “with Jehoshaphat leading them” (New Living Translation).

Returning to Jerusalem with joy refers to the sense of happiness about their victory over the enemy armies. Good News Translation and Revised English Bible say simply “in triumph.”

For the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies: The soldiers of Judah rejoiced because the LORD had given them victory over their enemies. This clause may be rendered “for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies” (New International Version) or “The LORD gave them a reason to rejoice about what had happened to their enemies” (God’s Word).

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 .