The word "Now" is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author tells background information about about how Joram was wounded and went to recover in Jezreel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background]])
These refers only to the Israelite army and not to everyone who lives in Israel. Alternate translation: "he and his army" or "he and the Israelite army" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]])