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RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CITY.
This picture shows one of the ruined cities near the coast, important during the period of the Maccabees, and later in the time of the Crusaders.
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VII.How Judas Won His Sword from the Foe.
And Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host from Samaria, to fight against Israel. And Judas perceived it, and he went forth to meet him, and smote him, and slew him: and many fell wounded to death, and the rest fled. And they took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and therewith he fought all his days.
VIII.How Judas, with a Small Force, Overcame the Syrians at Beth-horon.
And Seron, the commander of the host of Syria, heard that Judas had gathered a host of faithful men with him, and of such as went out to war; and he said, "I will make myself a name and get me glory in the kingdom; and I will fight against Judas and them that are with him, that set at naught the word of the king."
And there went up with him also a mighty army of the ungodly to help him, to take vengeance on the children of Israel.
And he came near to the pass of Beth-horan, and Judas went forth to meet him with a small company. But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judas, "What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? and we for our part are faint, having tasted no food this day."
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And Judas said, "It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with heaven it is all one, to save by many or by few: for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of a host; but strength is from heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us: but we fight for our lives and our laws. And he himself will discomfit them before our face: but as for you, be ye not afraid of them."
Now when he had left off speaking, he leaped suddenly upon them, and Seron and his army were discomfited before him. And they pursued them in the pass of Beth-horon unto the plain, and there fell of them about eight hundred men; but the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.
And the fear of Judas and his brethren, and the dread of them, began to fall upon the nations round about them: and his name came even unto the king, and every nation told of the battles of Judas.
IX.How Judas Deceived the Enemy by a Night March, How He Fell Upon the Syrian Camp, and Scattered the Syrian Army, Winning Great Glory and Gaining Much Spoil.
And after this Judas appointed leaders of the people, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens. And the army removed, and encamped upon the south side of Emmaus.
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And Judas said, "Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these Gentiles, that are assembled together against us to destroy us, and our holy place: for it is better for us to die in battle, than to look upon the evils of our nation and the holy place. Nevertheless, as may be the will in heaven, so shall he do."
And Gorgias took five thousand footmen, and a thousand chosen horse, and the army marched by night, that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and smite them suddenly: and the men of the citadel were his guides. And Judas heard thereof, and he also marched by night, he and the valiant men, that he might smite the king's host which was at Emmaus, while as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. And Gorgias came into the camp of Judas by night, and found no man; and he sought them in the mountains; for he said, "These men flee from us."
And as soon as it was day, Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men: howbeit they had neither suitable armor nor swords. And they saw the camp of the Gentiles strong and fortified, and horsemen compassing it round about; and these were expert in war.
And Judas said to the men that were with him, "Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their onset. Remember how our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a host. And now let us cry unto heaven, if he will pity us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this army before us to-day: and all the Gentiles shall know that there is one who redeemeth and saveth Israel."
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And the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them: and they went out of the camp to battle. And they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets, and joined battle, and the Gentiles were discomfited, and fled into the plain. But all the hindmost fell by the sword: and they pursued them a long distance, and there fell of them about three thousand men.
And Judas and his host returned from pursuing after them, and he said unto the people, "Be not greedy of the spoils, inasmuch as there is a battle before us; and Gorgias and his host are nigh unto us in the mountain. But stand ye now against our enemies, and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness."
While Judas was yet speaking, there appeared a part of them looking out from the mountain: and they saw that their host had been put to flight, and that the Jews were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done. But when they perceived these things, they were sore afraid; and perceiving also the army of Judas in the plain ready for battle, they fled all of them into the land of the Philistines.
And Judas returned to spoil the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue, and sea purple, and great riches. And they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise unto heaven; because his mercy is good, because his mercy endureth forever. And Israel had a great deliverance that day.
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SIDON, ON THE ROAD FROM TYRE.From a photograph taken by Dr. W. J. Moulton, and used by his kind permission.
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X.How Judas Defeated Another Great Army of the Syrians.
But the strangers, as many as had escaped, came and told Lysias all the things that had happened: but when he heard thereof, he was confounded and discouraged.
And in the next year he gathered together threescore thousand chosen footmen, and five thousand horse, that he might subdue them. And they came into Idumaea, and encamped at Bethsura; and Judas met them with ten thousand men. And he saw that the army was strong, and he prayed and said,--
"Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the onset of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver the army of the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his armor-bearer: shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be ashamed for their host and their horsemen: give them faintness of heart, and cause the boldness of their strength to melt away, and let them quake at their destruction: cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving."
And they joined battle; and there fell of the army of Lysias about five thousand men, and they fell down over against them. But when Lysias saw that his array was put to flight, and the boldness that had come upon them that were with Judas, and how they were ready either to live or to die nobly, he removed to Antioch, and gathered together hired soldiers, that he might come again into Judaea with even a greater company.
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XI.How the Temple Was Purified.
But Judas and his brethren said, "Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh."
And all the army was gathered together, and they went up unto Mount Sion. And they saw the sanctuary laid desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest or as on one of the mountains, and the priests' chambers pulled down; and they rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and put ashes upon their heads, and fell on their faces to the ground, and blew with the solemn trumpets, and cried toward heaven. Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the citadel, until he should have cleansed the holy place.
And he chose blameless priests, such as had pleasure in the law: and they cleansed the holy place, and bore out the stones of defilement into an unclean place. And they took counsel concerning the altar of burnt offerings, which had been profaned, what they should do with it: and there came into their mind a good counsel, that they should pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the Gentiles had defiled it: and they pulled down the altar, and laid up the stones in a convenient place near the temple, until there should come a prophet to show what should be done with them. And they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar after the{439}fashion of the former; and they built the holy place, and the inner parts of the house; and they hallowed the courts. And they made the holy vessels new, and they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings and of incense, and the table, into the temple. And they burned incense upon the altar, and they lighted the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple. And they set loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they made.
XII.How the King Himself, with an Army of 100,000 Men and a Herd of Thirty-two Fighting Elephants Came Against Judas, and How an Indecisive Battle Was Fought. How Eleazar Did a Brave Deed and Died in the Doing of It.
And when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his Friends, even the generals of his host, and the captains of the horse. And there came unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers. And the number of his forces was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants trained for war. And they went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war; and they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
And Judas removed from the citadel, and encamped at Bethzacharias, over against the king's camp. And the{440}king rose early in the morning, and removed his army at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias, and his forces made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets. And they showed the elephants the blood of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle. And they divided the beasts among the phalanxes, and they set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail, and helmets of brass on their heads; and for each elephant were appointed five hundred chosen horsemen. These were ready beforehand, wheresoever the elephant was; and whithersoever the elephant went, they went with him; they departed not from him. And towers of wood were upon them, strong and covered, one upon each elephant, girt fast upon him with cunning contrivances; and upon each elephant were two and thirty valiant men that fought upon them, beside his driver (and the rest of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains shone therewith, and blazed like torches of fire.
And a part of the king's army was spread upon the high mountains, and some on the low ground, and they went on firmly and in order. And all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the multitude, and the rattling of the arms, trembled: for the army was exceeding great and strong.
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RUINS OF THE CASTLE AT SIDON.From a photograph taken by Dr. W. J. Moulton, and used by his kind permission.
The famous city on the coast which held, with its great rival, Tyre, the commercial supremacy of the East. It was the scene of innumerable battles and sieges.
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And Judas and his army drew near for battle, and there fell of the king's army six hundred men. And Eleazar, who was called Avaran, saw one of the elephants armed with royal breastplates, and he was higher than all the elephants, and the king seemed to be upon him; and he determined to deliver his people, and to get him an everlasting name; and he ran upon him courageously into the midst of the phalanx, and slew on the right hand and on the left, and they parted asunder from him on this side and on that. And he crept under the elephant, and thrust him from beneath, and slew him; and the elephant fell to the earth upon him, and he died there. And they saw the strength of the kingdom, and the fierce onset of the hosts, and they retreated.
XIII.How Judas Defeated Nicanor and Cut Off His Head.
And the king sent Nicanor, one of his honorable princes, a man that hated Israel and was their enemy, and commanded him to destroy the people. And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great host; and he sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with words of peace, saying, "Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see your faces in peace."
And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. And the enemies were ready to take away Judas by violence. And the thing was known to Judas, that he came unto him with deceit, and he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more. And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered; and he went out{444}to meet Judas in battle, and there fell of Nicanor's side about five hundred men, and they fled into the city of David.
And after these things Nicanor went up to Mount Sion: and there came some of the priests out of the sanctuary, and some of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to show him the whole burnt sacrifice that was being offered for the king. And he mocked them, and laughed at them, and entreated them shamefully, and spoke haughtily, and swore in a rage, saying, "Unless Judas and his army be now delivered into my hands, it shall be that, if I come again in peace, I will burn up this house": and he went out in a great rage. And the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple; and they wept, and said, "Thou didst choose this house to be called by thy name, to be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people: take vengeance on this man and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to live any longer."
And Nicanor went forth from Jerusalem, and encamped in Beth-horon, and there joined him the host of Syria. And Judas encamped with three thousand men: and Judas prayed and said, "When they that came from the king blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote among them a hundred and fourscore and five thousand. Even so discomfit thou this army before us to-day, and let all the rest know that he hath spoken wickedly against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness."
And on the thirteenth day of the month Adar the armies{445}joined battle: and Nicanor's army was discomfited, and he himself was the first to fall in the battle. Now when his army saw that Nicanor was fallen, they cast away their arms, and fled. And the Jews pursued after them a day's journey, and they sounded an alarm after them with the solemn trumpets. And they came forth out of all the villages of Judaea round about, and hemmed them in on every side, so that they all fell by the sword, and there was not one of them left. And they took the spoils, and the booty, and they smote off Nicanor's head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so haughtily, and brought them, and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. And the people were exceeding glad, and they kept that day as a day of great gladness. And they ordained to keep this day year by year, the thirteenth day of Adar. And the land of Judah had rest a little while.
XIV.How Judas Made a Treaty with Rome.
And Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are valiant men, and have pleasure in all that join themselves unto them, and make a league with all such as come unto them. And they told him of their wars and exploits which they do among the Gauls, and how that they conquered them, and brought them under tribute; and what things they did in the land of Spain, that they might become masters of the mines of silver and gold which were{446}there; and how by their policy and persistence they conquered all the place (and the place was exceeding far from them), and the kings that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, until they had discomfited them, and smitten them very sore; and how the rest give them tribute year by year: Antiochus also, the great king of Asia, who came against them to battle, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horse, and chariots, and an exceeding great host, and he was discomfited by them, and they took him alive, and appointed that both he and such as reigned after him should give them a great tribute, and should give hostages, and the country of India, and Media, and Lydia, and of the goodliest of their countries; and they took them from him, and gave them to King Eumenes: and how they of Greece took counsel to come and destroy them; and the thing was known to them, and they sent against them a captain, and fought against them, and many of them fell down wounded to death, and they made captive their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and conquered their land, and pulled down their strongholds, and spoiled them, and brought them into bondage unto this day: and the rest of the kingdoms and of the isles, as many as rose up against them at any time, they destroyed and made them to be their servants; but with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept peace; and they conquered the kingdoms that were near and those that were far off, and all that heard of their fame were afraid of them: moreover, whomsoever they will to succor and to make kings, these{447}do they make kings; and whomsoever they will, do they depose; and they are exalted exceedingly: and for all this none of them did ever put on a crown, neither did they clothe themselves with purple, to be magnified thereby: and how they had made for themselves a senate house, and day by day three hundred and twenty men sat in council, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered: and how they commit their government to one man year by year, that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country, and all are obedient to that one, and there is neither envy nor emulation among them.
And Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, and Jason, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of peace and confederacy with them, and that they should take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Syrians did keep Israel in bondage. And they went to Rome (and the way was exceeding long), and they entered into the senate house, and said, "Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends."
And the thing was well-pleasing in their sight. And this is the copy of the writing which they wrote back again on tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of peace and confederacy:--
Good success be to the Romans, and to the nation of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: the sword also and the{448}enemy be far from them. But if war arise for Rome first, or any of their confederates in all their dominion, the nation of the Jews shall help them as confederates, as the occasion shall prescribe to them, with all their heart: and unto them that make war upon them they shall not give, neither supply, food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome, and they shall keep their ordinances without taking anything therefor. In the same manner moreover if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them as confederates with all their soul, as the occasion shall prescribe to them: and to them that are confederates with their foes there shall not be given food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome; and they shall keep these ordinances, and that without deceit. According to these words have the Romans made a covenant thus with the people of the Jews. But if hereafter the one party and the other shall take counsel to add or diminish anything, they shall do it at their pleasure, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be established.
XV.How Judas, Fighting Desperately Against Fearful Odds, Died Upon the Field of Battle.
And Demetrius, the king who succeeded Antiochus, heard that Nicanor was fallen with his forces in battle, and he sent Bacchides and Alcimus again into the land of Judah a second time, and the right wing of his army with them: and they went by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and encamped against Mesaloth, which is in Arbela, and{449}got possession of it, and destroyed much people. And the first month of the hundred and fifty and second year they encamped against Jerusalem: and they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horse. And Judas was encamped at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him: and they saw the multitude of the forces, that they were many, and they feared exceedingly: and many slipped away out of the army; there were not left of them more than eight hundred men.
And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and that the battle pressed upon him, and he was sore troubled in heart, for he had no time to gather them together, and he became discouraged. And he said to them that were left, "Let us arise and go up against our adversaries, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them."
And they would have dissuaded him, saying, "We shall in no wise be able: but let us rather save our lives now: let us return again, we and our brethren, and fight against them: but we are few."
And Judas said, "Let it not be so that I should do this thing, to flee from them: and if our time is come, let us die manfully for our brethren's sake, and not stain our honor."
And the host removed from the camp, and stood to encounter them, and the horse was parted into two companies, and the slingers and the archers went before the host, and all the mighty men that fought in the front of the battle.
But Bacchides was in the right wing; and the phalanx drew near on the two parts, and they blew with their{450}trumpets. And the men of Judas' side, even they sounded with their trumpets, and the earth shook with the shout of the armies, and the battle was joined, and continued from morning until evening.
And Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, and there went with him all that were brave in heart, and the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued after them unto the mount Azotus. And they that were on the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they turned and followed upon the footsteps of Judas and of those that were with him: and the battle waxed sore, and many on both sides fell wounded to death.
And Judas fell, and the rest fled. And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulcher of his fathers at Modin. And they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said, "How is the mighty fallen, the saviour of Israel!"
(Judas' last battle, in which, with only 800 men, he almost overcame 22,000, has been called the "Thermopylae of the Jews." The following is an estimate of the character and services of this great leader:--
"In the long roll of Israelitish worthies we meet with no more striking personality than that of Judas Maccabaeus. His piety was manifest to all; his motives were pure and unselfish; he fought for God's glory and his country's good. His unselfish devotion was equaled by his military genius. For seven years, with an enthusiasm that never flagged, he led the Jews to victory, and died only when the noblest heroism could not conquer.")
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XVI.How Jonathan Became Leader in Place of Judas.
And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the lawless took courage and became active in all the land of Israel, and all they that wrought iniquity rose up (in those days was there an exceeding great famine), and the country went over with them. And Bacchides chose out the ungodly men and made them lords of the country. And they sought out and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them unto Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them, and used them despitefully. And there was great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the time of the prophets. And all the friends of Judas were gathered together, and they said unto Jonathan, "Since thy brother Judas hath died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies and Bacchides, and among them of our nation that hate us. Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and leader in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles."
And Jonathan took the leadership upon him at that time, and rose up in place of his brother Judas.
XVII.How Jonathan and His Men, After Fighting a Superior Force, Swam the Jordan River and Escaped.
When Bacchides heard that the Jews had chosen another leader, he came on the Sabbath day unto the banks{452}of Jordan with a great host. And Jonathan said to his company, "Let us stand up now and fight for our lives, for it is not with us to-day, as yesterday and the day before. For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us; moreover the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that side, and marsh and wood; and there is no place to turn aside. Now therefore cry unto heaven, that ye may be delivered out of the hand of your enemies."
And the battle was joined, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, and he escaped from him. And Jonathan and they that were with him leaped into the Jordan, and swam over to the other side: and the Syrians did not pass over Jordan against them. And there fell of Bacchides' company that day about a thousand men.
XVIII.How King Demetrius Made a Treaty and How Jonathan, in Despite of Him, Took the City of Joppa.
(Alexander slew Demetrius and succeeded him as king, but a son of Demetrius, also named Demetrius, attempted to recover his father's kingdom, and sent an army into Palestine. Jonathan remained on the side of King Alexander, and conquered Apollonius, general of Demetrius.)
And in the hundred and threescore and fifth year came Demetrius, son of Demetrius, out of Crete into the land of his fathers: and King Alexander heard thereof, and he was grieved exceedingly, and returned unto Antioch. And Demetrius appointed Apollonius, who was over Coelesyria, and he gathered together a great host, and encamped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan, the high priest, saying,--
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SITE OF APHAMEA.From a photograph in the possession of Rev. Louis F. Giroux of the American International College, Springfield, Mass., and used by his kind permission.
The capital of Seleucus Nicator, one of Alexander's generals, founder of the famous dynasty of the Seleucidae. These kings are mentioned in the book of Daniel and in the books of the Maccabees. This is the region from which the kings of the North used to come down against Palestine
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"Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, but I am had in derision and in reproach because of thee. And why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains? Now therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try the matter together; for with me is the power of the cities. Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that help us; and they say, 'Your foot cannot stand before our face; for thy fathers have been twice put to flight in their own land.' And now thou shalt not be able to abide the horse and such a host as this in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto."
Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and he chose out ten thousand men, and went forth from Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him. And he encamped against Joppa: and they of the city shut him out, because Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa: and they fought against it. And they of the city were afraid, and opened unto him: and Jonathan became master of Joppa.
XIX.How Jonathan Put to Rout Apollonius and His Regiments of Cavalry.
And Apollonius heard, and he gathered an army of three thousand horse, and a great host, and went to Azotus as though he were on a journey, and from thence drew{456}onward into the plain, because he had a multitude of horse, and trusted therein. And Jonathan pursued after him to Azotus, and the armies joined battle.
And Apollonius had left a thousand horse behind them in ambush. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him. And they surrounded his army, and cast their darts at the people, from morning until evening: but the people stood still, as Jonathan commanded them: and their horses were wearied. And Simon drew forth his host, and joined battle with the phalanx (for the horsemen were tired), and they were discomfited by him, and fled. And the horsemen were scattered in the plain, and they fled to Azotus, and entered into Beth-dagon, their idol's temple, to save themselves.
And Jonathan burned Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, and them that fled into it, he burned with fire. And they that had fallen by the sword, with them that were burned, were about eight thousand men. And from thence Jonathan marched, and encamped against Ascalon, and they of the city came forth to meet him with great pomp. And Jonathan, with them that were on his side, returned unto Jerusalem, having many spoils.
And it came to pass, when King Alexander heard these things, he honored Jonathan; and he sent unto him a buckle of gold, as the custom is to give to such as are of the kindred of the kings: and he gave him Ekron and all the coasts thereof for a possession.
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JAFFA, THE ANCIENT JOPPA.
Joppa has a long and famous history of battle and siege. Many times it has changed hands and has known many masters. Its Jewish inhabitants were massacred early in the Maccabean struggle. It was attacked at night by Judas Maccabeus, who burned the boats in the harbor. It was captured by Jonathan and again by Simon. It was several times captured in the Roman wars--by Gallus, when 8,400 Jews were killed; by Vespasian, in 68 A.D., when 4,200 people perished. It was the seat of conflict during the Crusades, and was taken by Napoleon.
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XX.How Jonathan and Two Valiant Captains Stood Against a Host.
And Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Kedesh, which is in Galilee, with a great host, purposing to remove him from his office; and he went to meet them, but Simon his brother he left in the country.
And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and shut it up: and they desired to have peace, which he granted them, and he put them out from thence, and took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it.
And Jonathan and his army encamped at the water of Gennesaret, and early in the morning they went to the plain of Hazor. And, behold, an army of strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains, but themselves met him face to face. But they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle; and all they that were of Jonathan's side fled: not one of them was left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi, captains of the forces.
And Jonathan rent his clothes, and put earth upon his head, and prayed. And he turned again unto them in battle, and put them to the rout, and they fled. And they of his side that fled saw it, and returned unto him, and pursued with him unto Kedesh unto their camp, and they encamped there. And there fell of the strangers on that day about three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.
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XXI.How Jonathan Fell at Last Into the Hands of a Crafty Foe.
And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to put on himself the crown, and to stretch forth his hand against Antiochus the king. And he was afraid lest Jonathan should not permit him, and lest he should fight against him; and he sought a way how to take him, that he might destroy him. And he removed, and came to Bethshan. And Jonathan came forth to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan. And Tryphon saw that he came with a great host, and he was afraid to stretch forth his hand against him: and he received him honorably, and commended him unto all his Friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient unto him, as unto himself. And he said unto Jonathan, "Why hast thou put all this people to trouble, seeing there is no war between us? And now send them away to their homes, but choose for thyself a few men who shall be with thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it up to thee, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king's officers: and I will return and depart; for this is the cause of my coming."
And he put trust in him, and did even as he said, and sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Judah. But he reserved to himself three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, but one thousand went with him. Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and laid hands on him; and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.
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THE LAKE OF GALILEE.
The Galilee country, so important in the life of Jesus, was the scene of many of the operations of the military campaigns of the Maccabees.
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And Tryphon sent forces and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's men. And they perceived that he was taken and had perished, and they that were with him; and they encouraged one another, and went on their way close together, prepared to fight. And they that followed upon them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.
And they all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; and all Israel mourned with a great mourning. And all the Gentiles that were round about them sought to destroy them utterly: for they said, "They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us fight against them, and take away their memory from among men."
XXII.How Simon Became Captain in Place of Jonathan.
And Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty host to come into the land of Judah, and destroy it utterly. And he saw that the people trembled and were in great fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together; and he encouraged them, and said unto them, "Ye yourselves know all the things that I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen: by reason hereof all my brethren have{464}perished for Israel's sake, and I am left alone. And now be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of affliction; for I am not better than my brethren, Howbeit I will take vengeance for my nation, and for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children; because all the Gentiles are gathered to destroy us of very hatred."
And the spirit of the people revived, as soon as they heard these words. And they answered with a loud voice, saying, "Thou art our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan thy brother. Fight thou, our battles, and all that thou shalt say unto us, that will we do."
And he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about. And he sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, and with him a great host, to Joppa: and he cast out those that were therein, and abode there in it.
XXIII.How the Enemy Was Hindered by a Great Fall of Snow, and How Jonathan Met His Death.
And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a mighty host to enter into the land of Judah, and Jonathan was with him in prison. But Simon encamped at Adida, over against the plain. And Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, and he sent ambassadors unto him, saying, "It is for money which Jonathan thy brother owed unto the king's treasure, by reason of the offices which he had, that we hold him fast.
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JERUSALEMFrom an old photograph in the possession of the Springfield Public Library, and used by kind permission.
This view is taken from the city walls. The famous mosque of Omar is in the center.
"Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem."Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:"Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord."For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David."Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces."
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And now send a hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will set him at liberty."
And Simon knew that they spoke unto him deceitfully; and he sendeth the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people, and they should say, "Because I sent him not the money and the children, he perished."
And he sent the children and the hundred talents. And Tryphon dealt falsely, and did not set Jonathan at liberty. And after this Tryphon came to invade the land, and destroy it, and he went round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora: and Simon and his army marched over against him to every place, wheresoever he went. Now they of the citadel sent unto Tryphon ambassadors, hastening him to come unto them through the wilderness, and to send them provisions. And Tryphon made ready all his horse to come: and on that night there fell a very great snow, and he came not because of the snow.
And he removed, and came into the country of Gilead. But when he came near to Bascama, he slew Jonathan, and he was buried there. And Tryphon returned, and went away into his own land.
XXIV.How Simon Built a Great Monument in Honor of His Father, His Mother, and His Valiant Brethren.
And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried him at Modin, the city of his fathers.{468}And all Israel made great lamentation over him, and mourned for him many days. And Simon built a monument upon the sepulcher of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with polished stone behind and before. And he set up seven pyramids, one over against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren. And for these he made cunning devices, setting about them great pillars, and upon the pillars he fashioned all manner of arms for a perpetual memory, and beside the arms ships carved, that they should be seen of all that sail on the sea. This is the sepulcher which he made at Modin, and it is there unto this day.
XXV.How Simon Made a Treaty of Peace with King Demetrius.
Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, and put on himself the crown of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land. And Simon built the strongholds of Judaea, and fortified them with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars; and he laid up provisions in the strongholds. And Simon chose men, and sent to King Demetrius, to give the country help, because all that Tryphon did was to plunder. And King Demetrius sent unto him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter unto him, after this manner:--