Judith's People Face an Invading Army

In this Catholic additional book, the trouble began when Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians in Nineveh, fought Arphaxad of the Medes. Many lands had refused Nebuchadnezzar's command to join him, and he was furious. He defeated Arphaxad, took cities, plundered Ecbatana, and returned to Nineveh with his enormous army.

In the next year, Nebuchadnezzar decided to take revenge on the lands that had not obeyed him. He sent Holofernes, the chief captain of his army, with a vast force of foot soldiers, horsemen, supplies, and treasure. They were to march westward, demand submission, and crush resistance.

Holofernes and his army moved from place to place, attacking peoples and cities on the way. Some who resisted were killed, and lands were plundered. Fear spread along the sea coast. Other places surrendered and offered themselves as servants. Holofernes also cut down sacred groves so that the nations would be made to honour Nebuchadnezzar alone.

Then Holofernes came near Judea and camped by the ridge facing it. The Israelites living in Judea heard what he had done to the nations and their temples. They were deeply afraid for Jerusalem and for the temple of the Lord their God, especially since the people had only recently been gathered and the altar, vessels, and house had been sanctified again.

So the people acted quickly. They sent messages through the land, occupied the mountain heights, fortified villages, and stored food. Joakim the high priest ordered key passes to be held, because the narrow approaches into Judea could be blocked. Men, women, and children humbled themselves with sackcloth, ashes, fasting, and prayer. Later Holofernes was told that Israel had prepared for war and shut the passes.