Early in the morning the king rose: This would have been as the sun was rising, so we may translate “The king rose at daybreak [or, as the sun was rising] the next day.”

And took his army by a forced march along the road to Beth-zechariah: A forced march means to “march at top speed [or, as fast as possible],” so New Jerusalem Bible renders this clause as “and marched his army at top speed down the road to Beth-Zechariah.”

And his troops made ready for battle and sounded their trumpets: Made ready for battle may be expressed as “got ready to fight,” “took up battle positions” (Good News Bible), or “lined up to fight.” Sounded their trumpets may be rendered “blew their trumpets” (see the comments on 1Macc 3.54).

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.