Jonathan and Simon Secure Judea

Jonathan travelled beyond the river through the cities, and the Syrian forces joined him as allies. At Ascalon he was welcomed with honour, but Gaza shut him out. Jonathan besieged Gaza, burned its pasture lands, and plundered them. Then the people of Gaza asked for terms. Jonathan made an agreement with them, took the sons of their princes as hostages, sent them to Jerusalem, and travelled on as far as Damascus.

Then Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ commanders had come to Kedesh in Galilee with a great army, intending to remove him from office. He went to meet them and left his brother Simon in the country. Simon camped against Bethsura for many days and hemmed it in. When they asked for his right hand, he agreed, took the city, and placed a garrison there.

Jonathan camped by the water of Gennesareth and marched early to the plain of Hazor. Foreign troops met him there, while others were hidden in the mountains. When the ambush joined the battle, all of Jonathan’s men fled except two captains, Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son of Chalphi. Jonathan tore his clothes, put dust on his head, and prayed.

Then he fought back, routed the enemy, and the men who had fled returned to join the pursuit. About three thousand of the foreigners fell, and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

Seeing that the time was favourable, Jonathan chose men and sent them to Rome to renew the friendship and alliance already made there for the nation of the Jews. He also sent similar letters to the Spartans and to other places. The envoys entered the senate house in Rome and asked for the friendship and alliance to be renewed. They were given letters so people along the way would provide safe conduct on the journey back to the land of Judah.

Later Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ commanders had returned with a greater army than before. He met them in the country of Hamath and did not let them enter his own land. After spies reported a night attack, Jonathan ordered his men to keep watch and stay armed. The adversaries heard they were ready, became afraid, lit fires in their camp, and withdrew during the night. Jonathan pursued them as far as the river Eleutherus, then turned against the Zabadaean Arabians, struck them, took spoils, and travelled on to Damascus.

Simon also went out as far as Ascalon and the strongholds near it. Then he turned to Joppa and took possession of it, because he had heard that its stronghold might be handed over to Demetrius’ men. He set a garrison there to guard it. Jonathan gathered the elders of the people and planned to build strongholds in Judea, raise Jerusalem’s walls, and isolate the citadel from the city. The people gathered to build, Jonathan repaired the eastern section called Chaphenatha, and Simon fortified Adida with gates and bars.