The First Book of Maccabees

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 12 -

Jonathan renews his league with the Romans and Lacedemonians. The forces of Demetrius flee away from him. He is deceived and made prisoner by Tryphon.

Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.

Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:

Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.

We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:

And we are right glad of your honour.

As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our’s, and our’s are your’s We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.

Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius’ princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,

He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.

But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,

Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.

For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius’ part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.

Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;

But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.

Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?

Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s company.

But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.

They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.

Jonathan renews his league with the Romans and Lacedemonians. The forces of Demetrius flee away from him. He is deceived and made prisoner by Tryphon.

Jonathan saw that the time was favorable for him, so he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

He also sent similar letters to the Spartans, and to other places.

They went to Rome, entered into the senate house, and said, “Jonathan the high priest and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew for them the friendship and the alliance, as in former time.”

They gave them letters to the men in every place, that they should provide safe conduct for them on their way to the land of Judah.

This is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

“Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to their kindred the Spartans, greetings.

Even before this time letters were sent to Onias the high priest from Arius,(a) who was reigning among you, to signify that you are our kindred, as the copy written below shows.

Onias welcomed honorably the man who was sent and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of alliance and friendship.

Therefore we also, even though we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands,

have undertaken to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we should not become estranged from you altogether; for a long time has passed since you sent your letter to us.

We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to be mindful of kindred.

Moreover, we are glad for your glory.

But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.

We were unwilling to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars;

for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been humbled.

We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance.

We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.

And now you will do well if you give us a reply.”

And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:

“Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greetings.

It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are kindred, and that they are of the descendants of Abraham.

Now, since this has come to our knowledge, you will do well to write to us of your(b) prosperity.

We moreover write on our part to you, that your livestock and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you accordingly.”

Now Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes had returned to fight against him with a greater army than before,

so he marched away from Jerusalem, and met them in the country of Hamath; for he gave them no opportunity to set foot in his country.

He sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were preparing to attack them at night.

But as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be armed, that all the night long they might be ready for battle. He stationed sentinels around the camp.

The adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp then withdrew.

But Jonathan and his men didn’t know it until the morning; for they saw the fires burning.

Jonathan pursued after them, but didn’t overtake them; for they had gone over the river Eleutherus.

Then Jonathan turned toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadaeans, and struck them, and took their spoils.

He came out from there, and came to Damascus, and took his journey through all the country.

Simon went out, and took his journey as far as Ascalon, and the strongholds that were near it. Then he turned toward Joppa and took possession of it;

for he had heard that they were planning to hand over the stronghold to Demetrius’ men. He set a garrison there to guard it.

Then Jonathan returned and called the elders of the people together. He planned with them to build strongholds in Judea,

and to make the walls of Jerusalem higher, and to raise a great mound between the citadel and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might be isolated, that its garrison might neither buy nor sell.

They were gathered together to build the city. Part of the wall of the brook that is on the east side fell down, and he repaired the section called Chaphenatha.

Simon also built Adida in the(c) plain country, made it strong, and set up gates and bars.

And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to crown himself, and to stretch out his hand against Antiochus the king.

He was afraid that Jonathan wouldn’t allow him, and that he would fight against him; and he sought a way to seize him, that he might destroy him. So he marched out and came to Bethshan.

Jonathan came out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan.

Tryphon saw that he came with a great army, and he was afraid to stretch out his hand against him.

He received him honorably, and commended him to all his(d) friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient to him, as to himself.

He said to Jonathan, “Why have you put all this people to so much trouble, seeing there is no war between us?

Now send them away to their homes, but choose for yourself a few men who shall be with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it to you, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king’s officers. Then I will turn around and depart; for this is why I came.”

He put his 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, the people of Ptolemais shut the gates and seized him. They killed all those who came in with him with the sword.

Tryphon sent troops and cavalry into Galilee, and into the Great Plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s men.

They perceived that he had been seized and had perished, along with those who were with him. They encouraged one another and went on their way close together, prepared to fight.

Those who followed them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.

They all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan and those who were with him, and they were very afraid. All Israel mourned with a great mourning.

And all the Gentiles who were around them sought to destroy them utterly; for they said, “They have no ruler nor anyone to help them. Now therefore let’s fight against them, and take away their memory from among men.”

Footnotes

(a)12:7 So the old Latin versions and Josephus: compare also ver. 20. All the other authorities read Dariusin this place.

(b)12:22 Gr. peace

(d)12:43 See 1 Maccabees 2:18 .