Judas and Simon Rescue Threatened Communities

After the altar was rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated again, surrounding Gentile peoples grew angry and began attacking the people of Israel living among them. Judas first fought enemies in Idumaea, against Baean, and in the land of Ammon. Then urgent letters came from Gilead saying families were trapped, many had fallen, and others had been taken captive. Messengers from Galilee arrived with a similar warning.

Judas gathered the people to decide how to help their kindred in distress. He divided the work into two missions. Simon was to choose men and go to Galilee. Judas and Jonathan would go to Gilead. Joseph son of Zacharias and Azarias stayed in Judea with the remaining force to guard the people, and Judas ordered them not to fight the Gentiles until the others returned.

Simon went into Galilee with three thousand men. He fought many battles, defeated the Gentiles, and pursued them as far as the gate of Ptolemais. After that, he brought out the people in Galilee and Arbatta, together with their wives, children, and possessions, and led them into Judea with great gladness. His campaign was both battle and rescue.

Judas and Jonathan crossed the Jordan and travelled through the wilderness toward Gilead with eight thousand men. Peaceful Nabathaeans told them that many Jewish people were shut up in strong cities and that an attack was planned for the next day. Judas moved quickly, reached the threatened stronghold, and attacked the besieging army from behind in three companies, with trumpets and prayer. Timotheus's forces fled, and Judas went on to take other cities in Gilead.

Later Timotheus gathered another large army near Raphon, beyond the brook, with hired Arabians helping them. Judas crossed first and defeated them, and the fleeing enemy ran to the temple at Carnaim. After this, Judas gathered all Israel in Gilead, from the least to the greatest, with their families and belongings, to bring them into Judah. When Ephron blocked the road and refused peaceful words, Judas fought there and passed through the city.

Judas's company came into the land of Judah and went up to Mount Zion with joy, offering burnt offerings, because none of that company was lost before they returned in peace. Meanwhile, Joseph and Azarias ignored Judas's command. Wanting to win a name for themselves, they fought near Jamnia and were badly defeated. The chapter ends by reporting further victories of Judas and his kindred against enemies in the south and in Philistine territory.