1Macc 11
1
And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lies upon
the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander’s kingdom,
and join it to his own.
2
Whereupon he took his journey into Syria in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities
opened to him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because
he was his brother in law.
3
Now as Ptolemee entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of
soldiers to keep it.
4
And when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt,
and Azotus and its suburbs that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast
abroad and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by
the way where he should pass.
5
Also they told the king whatever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him:
but the king held his peace.
6
Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another,
and lodged.
7
Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus,
returned again to Jerusalem.
8
King Ptolemee therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea to Seleucia
upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.
9
Whereupon he sent ambassadors to king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league
between us, and I will give you my daughter whom Alexander has, and you shall reign
in your father’s kingdom:
10
For I repent that I gave my daughter to him, for he sought to slay me.
11
Thus did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.
12
Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander,
so that their hatred was openly known.
13
Then Ptolemee entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown
of Asia, and of Egypt.
14
In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those
parts had revolted from him.
15
But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemee
brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.
16
So Alexander fled into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted:
17
For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it to Ptolemee.
18
King Ptolemee also died the third day after, and they that were in the strong holds
were slain one of another.
19
By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year.
20
At the same time Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea to take the tower
that was in Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.
21
Then came ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went to the king, and told
him whom Jonathan besieged the tower,
22
Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais,
and wrote to Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak
with him at Ptolemais in great haste.
23
Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose
certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;
24
And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais
to the king, where he found favour in his sight.
25
And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
26
Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in
the sight of all his friends,
27
And confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before,
and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.
28
Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also
the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred
talents.
29
So the king consented, and wrote letters to Jonathan of all these things after this
manner:
30
King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, sends greeting:
31
We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write to our cousin Lasthenes concerning
you, that you might see it.
32
King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes sends greeting:
33
We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep
covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.
34
Wherefore we have ratified to them the borders of Judea, with the three governments
of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria,
and all things appertaining to them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead
of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits
of the earth and of trees.
35
And as for other things that belong to us, of the tithes and customs pertaining to
us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due to us, we discharge them
of them all for their relief.
36
And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.
37
Now therefore see that you make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered to
Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.
38
After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no
resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own
place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the
heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.
39
Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander’s part afore, who, seeing
that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought
up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
40
And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in
his father’s stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his
men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.
41
In the mean time Jonathan sent to king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the
tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against
Israel.
42
So Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for you and your people,
but I will greatly honour you and your nation, if opportunity serve.
43
Now therefore you shall do well, if you send me men to help me; for all my forces
are gone from me.
44
Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men to Antioch: and when they came
to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.
45
Nevertheless they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst
of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain
the king.
46
Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of
the city, and began to fight.
47
Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came to him all at once, and dispersing
themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred
thousand.
48
Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.
49
So when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage
was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,
50
Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.
51
With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured
in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they
returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.
52
So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before
him.
53
Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever he spoke, and estranged himself from Jonathan,
neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but
troubled him very sore.
54
After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned,
and was crowned.
55
Then there gathered to him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they
fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
56
Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.
57
At that time young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying, I confirm you in the high
priesthood, and appoint you ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the
king’s friends.
58
Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink
in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.
59
His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus to
the borders of Egypt.
60
Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all
the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him for to help him: and when he came to
Ascalon, they of the city met him honourably.
61
From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege
to it, and burned its suburbs with fire, and spoiled them.
62
Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan, he made peace with them,
and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and
passed through the country to Damascus.
63
Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee,
with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,
64
He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.
65
Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut
it up:
66
But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them
out from there, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.
67
As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes
in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.
68
And, behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in
ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.
69
So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that
were of Jonathan’s side fled;
70
Insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom,
and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the host.
71
Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.
72
Afterwards turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
73
Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again to him, and with him
pursued them to Cades, even to their own tents, and there they camped.
74
So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan
returned to Jerusalem.