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Chapter 9
In the mean season when
Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host was slain in the field, he
proceeded further to send Bachides and Alcimus again into Jewry, and
those that were in the right wing of his host, with them. So they
went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their
tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbellis, and won the city, and
slew much people. In the first month of the hundred fifty second
year, they brought their host to Jerusalem, and rose up and Berea,
with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Laisa, with three thousand
chosen men. And when they saw the multitude of the other army that
was so great, they were sore afraid, and many conveyed themselves
out of the host, Insomuch that there abode no more of them but eight
hundred men. When Judas saw that his host failed him, and that he
must needs fight: it break his heart, that he had no time to gather
them together: wherefore the man was in extreme trouble.
Nevertheless he said unto them, that remained with him: Up, let us
go against our enemies, *peradventure we shall be able to fight with
them. But they would have stopped him, saying: We shall not be able,
therefore let us now save ourselves, and turn again to our brethren
and then we will fight against them, for we are here but few. And
Judas said: God forbid, that we should flee from them. Wherefore if
your time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us
not stain our honor. Then the host removed out of the tents, and
stood against them. The horsemen were divided into two parts: the
sling casters and the archers went before the host, and all the
mighty men were foremost in the field. Bacchides himself was in the
right wing of the battle, and the host drew nye in two parts, and
blew the trumpets. They of Judas side blew the trumpets also, and
the earth shook at the noise of the hosts, and they struck a field
from the morrow till night. And when Judas saw that Bacchides host
was strongest of the right side, he took with him all the hardy men,
and break the right wing of their order, and followed upon them unto
the mount Azot.
Now when they which were of the left wing, saw that the right
side was discomfited, they persecuted Judas and them that were with
him. Then was there a sore battle, for many were slain and wounded
of both parties, Judas also himself was killed, and the remnant
fled. So Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him
in his fathers sepulchre in the city of Modin. And all the people of
Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned long, saying:
Alas, that this worth should be slain, which delivered the people of
Israel. As for other things pertaining to the battles of Judas, the
noble acts that he did and of his worthiness: they are not written,
for they were very many.
And after the death of Judas, wicked men came up in all the
coasts of Israel, and there arose all such as work ungodliness. In
those days was there a great *dearth in the land, and all the
country gave over themselves and theirs unto Bachides. So Bachides
chose wicked men, and made them lords in the land. These sought out
and made search for Judas friends, and brought them unto Bacchides:
which avenged himself upon them with great despite. And there came
so great trouble in Israel, as was not since the time that no
prophet was seen there.
Then came all Judas friends together, and said unto Jonathas:
For so much as thy brother Judas is dead, there is none like him to
go forth against our enemies, against Bacchides, and such as are
adversaries unto our people. Wherefore this day we have chosen thee
for him, to be our prince and captain to order our battle. And
Jonathas took the governance upon him at the same time, and ruled
instead of his brother Judas. When Bacchides gat knowledge thereof,
he sought for to slay him: But Jonathan and Simon his brother,
perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Thecua with all their
company, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar.
Which when Bacchides understood, he came over Jordan with all
his host upon the Sabbath day. Now had Jonathan sent his brother
Jhon ( a captain of the people ) to pray his friends the Nabuthites,
that they would lend them their ordinance, for they had much. So the
children of Jambri came out of Madaba, and took John and all that he
had, and went their way withal. Then came word unto Jonathas and
Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great
marriage, and brought the bride from Nadaba with great pomp: for she
was daughter to one of the noblest princes of Chanaan. Wherefore
they remembered the blood of Jhon their brother, and went up, and
hid themselves under the shadow of the mountain.
So they lifted up their eyes, and looked: and behold, there
was much ado, and great *reprise: for the bride groom came forth,
and his friends and his brethren met them with *tympanys,
instruments of music, and many weapons. Then Jonathas and they that
were with him, rose up of their lurking places against them, and
slew many of them. As for the remnant, they fled into the mountains,
and they took all their substance. Thus the marriage was turned to
mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation. And so
they had avenged the blood of their brother, they turned again unto
Jordan.
Bacchides hearing this, came unto the very border of Jordan
with a great power on the Sabbath day. And Jonathas said to his
company: Let us get up, and fight against our enemies: for it
standeth not with us today, as in times past: Behold, our enemies
are in our way, the water of Jordan upon the one side of us, with
banks, fences and woods of the other side, so there is no place for
us to depart unto. Wherefore cry now unto heaven, that ye may be
delivered from the power of your enemies. So they struck battle. And
Jonathas stretched out his hand to smite Bacchides, but he fled
backward. Then Jonathas and they that were with him leapt into
Jordan, and swam over Jordan unto him, and there were slain of
Bachides side that day a thousand men.
Therefore Bacchides with his host turned again to Jerusalem,
and builded up the castles and strongholds that were in Jewry,
Jericho, Emaus, Bethoron, Bethell, Thamnata, Phara and Topo, with
high walls, with ports and with locks: and set men to keep them,
that they might use their malice upon Israel. He walled up Bethsurah,
Gazarah, and the castle at Jerusalem also, and provided them with
men and victuals: He took also the chiefest mens sons in the country
for pledges, and put them in the castle at Jerusalem to be kept.
Afterward in the hundred and fifty third year, in the second
month, Alcimus commanded, that the walls of the inmost Sanctuary
should be destroyed, and the buildings of the prophets also. And
when he began to destroy them the things that he went about, for he
was smitten with a palsy, and his mouth shut, so that he could no
more speak nor command any of his house concerning his business.
Thus died Alcimus in great misery at the same time. When Bacchides
saw that Alcimus was dead, he turned again to the king, and so the
land was in rest two years. Then all the ungodly men held a council,
saying: Behold, Jonathas and his company are at ease, and dwell
without care. Wherefore let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall
take them all in one night.
So they went and gave Bachides this counsel, which arose and
came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in
Jewry, to take Jonathas and those that were with him: but they might
not, for the other had gotten knowledge of their devise. And
Jonathas took fifty men of the country, ( which were the ringleaders
of them ) and slew them. Then Jonathas and Simon departed unto the
city Bethbessen which layeth in the wilderness, and repaired the
decay thereof, and made it strong. When Bachides knew this, he
gathered all his host, and sent word to them that were in Jewry.
Then came he and laid siege to Bethbessen and fought against it a
long season, and made instruments of war. Now Jonathas left his
brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country,
and came with a certain number, and slew Odares and his brethren and
the children of Phaseron in their tents: so that he began to be
strong and increase in power.
As for Simon and his company, they went out of the city, and
burned up the instruments of war, and fought against Bachides, and
discomfited him. And Bachides was sore vexed, because his counsel
and travail was in vain. Wherefore he was wroth at the wicked men (
that gave him counsel to come into their land ) and slew many of
them. Then purposed he with his company to go away into his own
country: Whereof when Jonathas had knowledge, he sent ambassadors
unto him, for to make peace with him, and that he should deliver him
his prisoners again. To the which Bachides consented gladly, and did
according to his desire: yee and made an oath, that he should never
do him harm all the days of his life. So he restored unto him all
the prisoners that he had taken out of the land of Juda, and then
turned and went his way into his own land, neither proceeded he any
further to come unto the borders of Juda. Thus Israel had* more war.
And Jonathas dwelt at Machmas, and began there to govern the people;
and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel.
*peradventure (perhaps, perchance) *dearth (famine) *reprise
(chanting, repetitive song) *tympanys ( kettle drums) Line may read
"Thus Israel had no more war".
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Chapter 10
In the hundred and sixtieth year
came Alexander, the son of Antioch* and took Ptolemais, whose
citizens received him and there he reigned. When Demetrius heard
thereof, he gathered an exceeding great host, and went forth against
him to fight. Wherefore Demetrius sent letters unto Jonathas with
loving words, and praised him greatly. For he said: We will first
make peace with him, before he bind himself with Alexander against
us: Else he shall remember all the evil that we have done against
him, his brother and his people. And so he Jonathas leave to gather
an host, to make weapons, and to be confederate with him, and
commanded the pledges that were in the castle, to be delivered unto
him.
Then came Jonathas to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the
audience of all the people, and of them that were in the castle. And
therefore were they sore afraid, because they heard, that the king
had given him license to gather an host, Thus were the pledges
delivered unto Jonathas, which restored them to their elders.
Jonathas also dwelt at Jerusalem, and began to build up and repair
the city: Commanding the workmen, to wall it, and the mount Sion
round about with free stone, to be a stronghold, and so they did. As
for the Heathen that were in the castles which Bachides had made up,
they fled: so that every man left the place, and went into his own
country. Only at Bethsura certain of the Jews, which had forsaken
the law and the commandments of God, for Bethsura was their refuge.
Now when king Alexander had heard of the promises that
Demetrius had made unto Jonathas, and when it was told him of the
battles and noble acts, which he and his brethren had done, and of
the great travails that they had taken: he said: Where shall we find
such a man? well, we will make him our friend, and be confederate
with him. Upon this he wrote a letter unto him, with these words:
King Alexander saluteth his brother Jonathas. We have heard of thee,
that thou art a valiant man, and *mete to be our friend: *Wherefore
this day we ordain thee to be the high Priest of thy people, and to
be called the kings friend. ( Upon this, he sent him a purple
clothing, and crown of gold ) that thou may consider what is for our
profit, and keep friendship toward us.
So in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, upon
the solemn feast day of the tabernacles, Jonathas put the holy
raiment upon him. Then gathered he a host, and made many weapons.
Which when Demetrius heard, he was marvelous sorry, and said: Alas,
what have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in getting the
friendship of the Jews, for his own defense? Yet will I write
lovingly unto them also, yee and promise them dignities and rewards,
that they may be of my side. Whereupon he wrote unto them these
words: King Demetrius sendeth greeting unto the Jews. Whereas ye
have kept your covenants toward us, and continued in our friendship,
not inclining to our enemies, we were glad, when we heard thereof.
Wherefore remain still, and be faithful unto us: and we well
recompense you for the things, that ye have done on our party: we
shall release you of many charges, and give you rewards. And now I
discharge you and all the Jews from tributes, I forgive you the
customs of salt, and release you from the crown taxes, and the third
part of seed, and half of the fruit of the trees, which is mine own
duty. these I leave for you, from this day forth: so that they shall
not be taken of the land of Juda nor of the three *cities which are
added thereunto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth for
evermore. Jerusalem also with all things belonging thereto, shall be
holy and free, yee the tithes and tributes shall pertain unto it. As
for the power of the castle which is at Jerusalem, I remit and give
it unto the high priest, that he may set in it such men, as he shall
choose to keep it. I freely deliver all the Jews that are prisoners
throughout all my realm: so that every one of them shall be free
from paying any tribute, yee even of their cattle.
All the solemn feasts, Sabbaths, new moons, the days
appointed, the three days before and after the feast shall be free
for all the Jews in my realm: *so that in them no man shall have
power to do any thing, or to move any business against any of them
in any manner of cause. There shall thirty thousand also of the
Jews, be written up in the kings host, and have their wages paid, as
all other men of war of the kings should have: and of them shall be
ordered certain, to keep the kings strongholds: yee and some of them
shall be set over the kings business, that they may faithfully deal
with the same. The Jews also shall have princes of their own, and
walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of
Juda.
And the three cities that are fallen unto Jewry from the
country of Samaria and Galilee: shall be taken as Jewry, and be
under one: neither be subject to any strange lord, but to the high
priest. As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it
unto the Sanctuary at Jerusalem, for the necessary expenses of the
holy things. Moreover, I will give every year fifteen thousand *Siceles
of silver out of the kings checker ( which pertaineth unto me ) to
the work of the temple: yee and look what remaineth ( which they
that had our matters in hand in times past, have not paid ) that
same shall they shall give unto them also. Besides all this, the
five thousand *siceles which they took yearly of the rents of the
Sanctuary, shall belong unto the priests that do service.
Item, whosoever they be that flee unto the temple at
Jerusalem, or within the liberties thereof, where as they are fallen
into the kings danger for any manner of business, they shall be
pardoned, and all the goods that they have in my realm, shall be
free. For the building also and repairing of the work of the
Sanctuary, expenses shall be given out of the kings Checker: Yee and
for the making of the walls round about Jerusalem, for the breaking
down of the old, and the setting up of the strongholds in Jewry,
shall the costs and charges be given out of the kings Checker.
But when Jonathas and the people heard these words, they gave
no credence unto them, neither received them: for they remembered
the great wickedness that he had done unto Israel, and how sore he
had vexed them. Wherefore they agreed unto Alexander, for he was a
prince that had dealt friendly with them, and so they stood by him
always. Then gathered king Alexander a great host, and brought his
army against Demetrius. So the two kings struck battle together, but
Demetrius host fled, and Alexander followed after, and fell upon
them. A mighty sore field was it, continuing until the *Son went
down, and Demetrius was slain the same day.
And Alexander sent ambassadors unto Ptolemy the king of Egypt
with these words, saying: Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm,
and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have gotten the
dominion, overcomed Demetrius, conquered the land, and stricken the
field with him, so that we have discomfited both him and his host,
and sit in the throne of his kingdom: Let us now make a friendship
together, give me thy daughter to wife: so shall I be thy son in
law, and both give thee rewards, and her great dignity. Ptolomy the
king gave answer, saying: Happy be the day wherein thou art come
again to the land of thy *progenitors and set in the throne of their
kingdom. As now will I fulfill thy writing: but meet me at Ptolemais,
that we may see one another, and that I may marry my daughter unto
thee according to thy desire.
So Ptolomy went out of Egypt with his daughter *Cleopatra, and
came unto Ptolemais in the hundred and sixty second year: where king
Alexander met him, and he gave Alexander his daughter Cleopatra, and
married them at Ptolemais with great worship, like as the manner of
kings is to be. Then wrote king Alexander unto Jonathas, that he
should come and meet him. So he went honorably to Ptolemais, and
there he met the two kings, and gave them great presents of gold and
silver, and found favor in their sight: And there came together
against Jonathas certain wicked men and ungracious persons of
Israel, making complaint of him, but the king regarded them not. As
for Jonathas, the king commanded to take off his garments, and
clothe him in purple: and so they did. Then the king appointed him
sit by him, and said into his princes: Go with him into the midst of
the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of
any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.
So it happened that when his accusers saw the worship which
was proclaimed of him, and that he was clothed in purple: they fled
every each one. And the king made much of him, wrote him among his
chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.
Thus Jonathas went again to Jerusalem with peace and gladness. In
the one hundred and sixty fifth year came Demetrius the son of
Demetrius from *Crete into his fathers land: Whereof when Alexander
heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch. And
Demetrius chose Apollonius (which had the governance of Celosyria)
to be his captain.
So he gathered a great host and camped in Jamnia, and sent
unto Jonathas the high priest, saying: Darest thou withstand us
thyself alone? As for me, I am but laughed to scorn and ashamed,
because thou provest thy strength against us in the mountains. Now
therefore if thou trustest in thine own strength, come down to us
into the plain field, and there let us prove our strength together:
thou shalt find, that I have valiant men of war with me: and shalt
know whom I am, and the other that stand by me.
Which say, that your foot is not able to stand before our
face, for thy fathers were twice chased in to their own land. And
now, how wilt thou be able to abide so great an host of horsemen and
footmen in the field, whereas is neither rock, stone ner place to
flee unto?
When Jonathas heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in
his mind: wherefore he chose ten thousand men and went out of
Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him for to help him: And they
pitched their tents at Joppa: but the city kept him forth, for Joppa
was an hold of Apollonius. Then Jonathas laid siege to it, and they
that were in the city, for very fear let him in: and so Jonathas won
Joppa. Apollonius hearing of this, took three thousand horsemen,
with a great host of foot, and went as though he would go to Azotus,
and came immediately in to the plain field: because he had so many
horsemen, and put his trust in them. So Jonathas followed upon him
to Azotus, and there they struck battle. Now had Apollonius left a
thousand horsemen behind them privily in the tents. And when
Jonathas knew that such wait was layed behind them, they went round
about the enemies host, and shot darts at the people from morning to
the evening. As for Jonathas people, they kept their order as he had
commanded them, and the enemies horses were ever laboring.
Then brought Simon forth his host, and set them against the
footmen. For the horsemen were weary already. So he discomfited them
and they fled. And they that were scattered in the field, gat them
to Azotus, and came into the temple of Dagon their Idol, that they
might there save their lives. But Jonathas set fire upon Azotus, and
all the cities round about it, and took their gods, and burnt up the
temple of Dagon with all them that were fled into it.
Thus there were slain and burnt well nigh eight thousand men.
So Jonathas removed the host from thence, and brought them to
Ascalon: where the men of the city came forth, and met him with
great worship. After this went Jonathas and his host again unto
Jerusalem, with great substance of good. And when king Alexander
heard these things, he thought to do Jonathas more worship, and sent
him a collar of gold, as the use is to be given unto such as are of
the kings next blood. He gave him also the city of Accaron ( with
the lands belonging thereto ) in possession.
Antioch* (kjv adds surnamed Epiphanes)
the commandments of God (kjv leaves out "of God") *mete (worthy )
* In all that I have read of the WORD of God, this is the first time
that a Pagan king appoints an high Priest over Gods people. Note
also the reason why. RN
*cities (kjv = governments) (*so that in them no man shall have
power ; kjv=authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any
matter.) *siceles (shekels)
*progenitors (forefathers) *this is Son, the original writers made a
difference between son and sun, spelling them sonne for son and
sunne for sun. RN *Cleopatra, (this is not the Cleopatra of the
movies, this one here is the 1st Cleopatra, whereas the Cleopatra of
the movies is the 5th one.) *Crete (an island of Greece)
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Chapter 11
And the king of Egypt gathered
an host ( like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore ) and many
ships: and went about through deceit to obtain the kingdom of
Alexander, and to join it unto his own realm. Upon this he took his
journey into *Syra, and was letten into the cities, and men came
forth to meet him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do,
because he was his father in law. Now when Ptolomy entered into any
city, he left men of war to keep it, and this he did throughout all
the cities. And when he came to Azotus, they showed him the temple
of Dagon and Azotus that was burnt up, with the other things that
were destroyed, the dead bodies that were cast abroad, and the
graves that they had made up by the wayside, for such as were slain
in the field: And told the king that Jonathas had done all these
things, to the intent that they might get him evil will. But the
king said not a word thereto. And Jonathas met the king with great
honor at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and took their rest.
So when Jonathas had gone with the king unto the water called
Eleutherus, he turned again to Jerusalem. Now Ptolomy had gotten the
dominion of the cities unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagining
wicked counsels against Alexander, and sent ambassadors unto
Demetrius, saying: Come, let us make a bond betwixt us, so shall I
give thee my daughter that Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in
thy fathers kingdom. I repent that I gave Alexander my daughter, for
he goeth about to slay me. And thus he *sclandered Alexander,
because he would have his realm.
Thus he took his daughter from him, gave her to Demetrius, and
forsook Alexander, so that his malice was openly known. And Ptolomy
came to Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his own head: the
crown of Egypt and of Asia. In the mean season was king Alexander in
Cilicia, for they that dwelt in those places, had rebelled against
him. But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him.
So king Ptolomy brought forth his host and met him with a mighty
power, and chased him away. Then fled Alexander unto Araby, there to
be defended, and king Ptolomys honor increased. And Zabdiel the
Arabian smote off Alexanders head, and sent it unto Ptolomy. But the
third day after, died king Ptolomy himself: and they whom he had set
in the strong holds, were slain of those that were in the cities.
And Demetrius reigned in the hundred sixty seventh year.
At the same time gathered Jonathas them that were in Jewry to
lay siege unto the castle which was at Jerusalem, and so they made
many instruments of war against it. Then went there certain ungodly
persons ( which hated their own people ) unto king Demetrius, and
told him, that Jonathas besieged the castle. So when he heard it, he
was angry, and Immediately came unto Ptolemais, and wrote unto
Jonathas, that he should not lay siege to the castle, but come and
speak with him in all haste. Nevertheless when Jonathas heard this
he commanded to besiege it. He chose also certain of the elders and
priests of Israel, and put himself in the peril, and took with him
gold, silver, clothing and divers presents: and went to Ptolemais
unto the king, and found him gracious.
And though certain ungodly men of his own people made
complaints against him, yet the king entreated him, like as his
predecessors had done before: and promoted him in the sight of all
his friends, and confirmed him in the high priesthood with all the
worship that he had afore, and made him his chief friend. Jonathas
also desired the king that he would make Jewry free, with the three
head cities of Samaria and the lands pertaining thereto: upon this
did Jonathas promise him three hundred talents. Where unto the king
consented, and gave Jonathas writings of the same, containing these
words. King Demetrius sendeth greeting unto his brother Jonathas,
and to the people of the Jews. We send you here a copy of the letter
which we did write unto our elder Lasthenus, concerning you, that ye
should know it.
King Demetrius sendeth greeting unto Lasthenus his elder. For
the faithfulness that our friends the people keep unto us, and for
the loving kindness which they beare toward us: We are determined to
do them good. Wherefore we order all the coasts of Jewry with three
cities, Lyda and Ramath (which are added unto Jewry from Samaria )
and all the lands pertaining there unto, to be freely separated for
such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, both concerning the payments
which the king took yearly afore time, and the fruits also of the
earth and trees. And as for other tithes and tributes that belonged
to us, we discharge them thereof from this time forth. In like
manner we grant unto them all the customs of salt and crown taxes
which were brought unto us. And this freedom shall they have firm
and steadfast, from this time forth for evermore. Therefore see that
thou make a copy of these our letters, and deliver it unto Jonathas:
that it may be kept upon the holy mount in a convenient place.
After this, when Demetrius the king saw that his land was in
rest, and that no resistance was made him: he sent away all his host
every man to his own place, except an army of strangers, whom he
brought from the Isles of the Heathen, wherefore all his fathers
host had evil will at him. Now there was one Triphon ( that had been
of Alexanders part afore ) which when he saw that all the host
murmured against Demetrius: went to Emalcuel the Arabian ( that
brought up Antiochus the son of Alexander ) And lay sore upon him,
to deliver him this young Antiochus: that he might reign in his
fathers stead. He told him also what great evil Demetrius had done,
and how his men of war loved him not: and so remained there a long
season.
And Jonathas sent unto king Demetrius, to drive them out which
were in the castle at Jerusalem and the other refugees for they did
Israel great harm. So Demetrius sent word unto Jonathas, saying: I
will not only do these things for thee and thy people, but at time
convenient I will do both thee and thy people great worship. But now
thou shalt do me a pleasure, if thou wilt send me men to help me:
for all my army is gone from me. So Jonathas sent him three thousand
strong men unto Antioch, and they came unto the king, wherefore the
king was very glad at their coming. But they that were of the city (
even an hundred and twenty thousand men ) gathered them together,
and would have slain the king, which fled into his court: and the
citizens kept the streets of the city, and began to fight.
Then the king called for the Jews help, which came unto him
altogether, and went abroad through the city, and slew the same day
an hundred thousand men: set fire upon the city, gat many spoils in
that day, and delivered the king. So when the citizens saw that the
Jews had gotten their will of the city, and they themselves
disappointed of their purpose, they made their supplication to the
king, saying: Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from troubling
us and the city, and upon this they cast away their weapons. Thus
they made peace, and the Jews got great worship in the sight of the
king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm, and were
spoken of throughout the kingdom: and so they came again to
Jerusalem with great goods.
So the king Demetrius sat in the throne of his kingdom, and
had peace in his land. Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever
he spake, and withdrew himself from Jonathas, neither rewarded him
according to the benefits which he had done for him, but troubled
him very sore. After this came Tryphon again with young Antiochus,
which reigned and was crowned king. Then there gathered unto him all
the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away: these fought against
Demetrius, which fled and turned his back. So Tryphon took the
Elephants, and won Antioch. And young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathas,
saying: I confirm thee in thy priesthood, and make thee ruler of
four countries, that thou mayest be a friend of the kings.
Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave
him leave to drink in gold, to be clothed in purple, and to wear a
collar of gold, He made his brother Simon also captain, from the
*coasts of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt. Then Jonathas took his
journey, and went through the cities beyond the water ( of Jordan )
and all the men of war of Syria gathered them unto him for to help
him. So he came unto Ascalon, and they of the city received him
honorably: and from thence he went unto Gaza, but they would not let
him in: wherefore he laid siege unto it burning up and spoiling the
places that where about the city.
And the citizens of Gaza submitted themselves unto Jonathas,
which made peace with them, but took of their sons to pledge, sent
them to Jerusalem, and went through the country unto Damascus. Now
when Jonathas heard that Demetrius princes were come into Cades, (
which is in Galilee ) with a great host, purposing to put Demetrius
out from meddling in the realm: he came against him, and left Simon
his brother in the land: which came to Bethsura, and laid siege to
it a long season, and discomfited them. So they desired to have
peace with him, which he granted them, and afterward put them out
from thence, took the city, and set men to keep it. And Jonathas
with his host, came to the water of Genesar, and bytimes in the
morning they gat them to the plain field of *Azor.
And behold, the hosts of Heathen met them in the field, and
laid watch for them in the mountains: so that when Jonathas came
against them, the other ( which were laid to watch ) rose out of
their places, and fought, and they that were of Jonathass side, fled
every man: and there was not one of them left, except Mathathias the
son of Absalomus, and Judas the son of Calphi the captain of the
host. Then Jonathas rent his clothes, and layed earth upon his head,
made his prayer, and turned again to them in the field: where they
fought together, and he put them to flight. Now when his own men
that were fled, saw this: they turned again unto him, and helped him
to follow upon all their enemies unto their tents at Cades. So there
were slain of the Heathen the same day three thousand men, and
Jonathas turned again unto Jerusalem.
*Syra, (kjv=Spain) *sclandered (scandal and slander) *coasts of
Tyrus (kjv = place called The ladder of Tyrus) *Azor. (kjv =Nasor)
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Chapters
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5-8
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