* **It happened that** - This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
* **the days were approaching for him to go up** - "the time was coming for him to go up" or "it was almost time for him to go up"
* **resolutely** - "determinedly" or "deliberately"
* **set his face** - This is an idiom meaning "made up his mind" or "decided" or "firmly resolved" (UDB). (See: [[en:ta:vol1:translate:figs_idiom]])
* **to prepare for him** - This means to make arrangements for his arrival in the area, possibly including a place to speak, a place to stay, and food.
* **did not receive him** - "did not welcome him" or "did not want him to stay"