1 Maccabees 11 — GMV
11
Verse 1
And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander’s kingdom, and join it to his own.
Verse 2
Whereupon he took his journey into Syria in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened unto him, and met him: for King Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his father-in-law.
Verse 3
Now as Ptolemy entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it.
Verse 4
And when he came near to Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagon that was burned, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad, and them that he had burned in the battle: for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass.
Verse 5
Also they told the king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the king held his peace.
Verse 6
Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.
Verse 7
Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem.
Verse 8
King Ptolemy therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.
Verse 9
Whereupon he sent ambassadors unto King Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league between us, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in thy father’s kingdom:
Verse 10
for I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me.
Verse 11
Thus did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.
Verse 12
Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known.
Verse 13
Then Ptolemy entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.
Verse 14
In the mean season was King Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.
Verse 15
But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemy brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.
Verse 16
So Alexander fled into Arabia, there to be defended; but King Ptolemy was exalted:
Verse 17
for Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it unto Ptolemy.
Verse 18
King Ptolemy also died the third day after, and they that were in the strongholds were slain one of another.
Verse 19
By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year.
Verse 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.
Verse 21
Then certain ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower.
Verse 22
Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.
Verse 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;
Verse 24
and took silver and gold, and raiment, and diverse presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favor in his sight.
Verse 25
And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
Verse 26
yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,
Verse 27
and confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honors that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.
Verse 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.
Verse 29
So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:
Verse 30
King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
Verse 31
We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.
Verse 32
King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:
Verse 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.
Verse 34
Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Aphairema and Lydda and Rathamin, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto 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.
Verse 35
And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.
Verse 36
And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth forever.
Verse 37
Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.
Verse 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.
Verse 39
Moreover there was one Trypho, that had been of Alexander’s part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Imalkue the Arabian, that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
Verse 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.
Verse 41
In the mean time Jonathan sent unto King Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.
Verse 42
So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honor thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.
Verse 43
Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.
Verse 44
Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.
Verse 45
Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.
Verse 46
Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.
Verse 47
Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of a hundred thousand.
Verse 48
Also they set fire on the city, and got many spoils that day, and delivered the king.
Verse 49
So when they of the city saw that the Jews had gotten the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,
Verse 50
Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.
Verse 51
With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honored 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.
Verse 52
So King Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.
Verse 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.
Verse 54
After this returned Trypho, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.
Verse 55
Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
Verse 56
Moreover Trypho took the elephants, and won Antioch.
Verse 57
At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king’s friends.
Verse 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.
Verse 59
His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyre unto the borders of Egypt.
Verse 60
Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon, they of the city met him honorably.
Verse 61
From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.
Verse 62
Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto 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 unto Damascus.
Verse 63
Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to Kadesh, which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,
Verse 64
he went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.
Verse 65
Then Simon encamped against Beth-zur, and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:
Verse 66
but they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.
Verse 67
As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesaret, from whence betimes in the morning they got them to the plain of Hazor.
Verse 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.
Verse 69
So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle, all that were of Jonathan’s side fled;
Verse 70
insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi, the captains of the host.
Verse 71
Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.
Verse 72
Afterward turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
Verse 73
Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Kadesh, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.
Verse 74
So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.