But I observed that my father, on the occasions when he made expeditions into the upper country, appointed his successor: The connector but should be kept here. I observed may be rendered “I remember.” Antiochus’ father was Antiochus~III. On the occasions when he made expeditions into the upper country refers to going on military campaigns in the eastern part of the Syrian Empire. This clause may be rendered “when he took his soldiers to fight the enemy in the eastern parts of the empire.” For the upper country, see the comments on 1Macc 3.37. An alternative model for this verse is:

• But I remember that when my father would take the army [or, his soldiers] into the eastern parts of the empire [or, kingdom], he would always name the person who would become the next king.

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.