Simon Is Killed and John Escapes

Ptolemy son of Abubus was governor over the plain of Jericho, and he had much silver and gold. He was also the high priest’s son-in-law. But his heart grew proud. He wanted to make himself master of the country, so he began a deceitful plot against Simon and Simon’s sons.

At that time Simon was visiting the cities of the country and attending to their needs. He went down to Jericho with two of his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the one hundred seventy-seventh year, in the eleventh month, Sebat.

Ptolemy received them deceitfully into the little stronghold called Dok, which he had built. He gave them a great banquet and hid men there. After Simon and his sons had drunk freely, Ptolemy and his men rose up, took their weapons, rushed in, and killed Simon, his two sons, and some of his servants.

The passage says this was a great wrong, evil repaid for good. Then Ptolemy wrote to the king and asked for forces to help him. He wanted control of the country and its cities. He also sent men to Gazara to do away with John, wrote to military leaders with promises of silver, gold, and gifts, and sent others to take Jerusalem and the temple hill.

But one man ran ahead to Gazara and warned John that his father and kindred had perished, and that men had been sent to kill him too. John was greatly shocked. When the men arrived, he recognised their purpose, seized them, and killed them. What do pride and deceit do to a whole country when people chase power like this?