TALES OF THE MACCABEES
TALES OF THE MACCABEES
PERSONS OF THE STORY.
Mattathias, a Jewish priest.
Sons of Mattathias.
John,
Simon,
Judas,
Eleazar,
Jonathan,
Alexander the Great.
Antiochus, king of Syria.
Syrian generals under Antiochus.
Apollonius,
Seron,
Ptolemy,
Nicanor,
Gorgias,
Lysias, regent of Syria.
Philip, pretender to Syrian crown.
Demetrius I., king of Syria.
Syrian generals under Demetrius.
Bacchides,
Nicanor,
Alexander Bolas, A general who contested with Demetrius for the Syrian crown.
Demetrius II., king of Syria.
Antiochus, son of Bolas, pretender to the crown.
Tryphon, a general who supported Antiochus, and who afterward became king.
Antiochus VII., brother of Demetrius II., who defeated Tryphon.
Ptolemy, king of Egypt.
PLACE OF THE STORY.
The action moves over nearly the whole of Palestine. Some of the places mentioned are Modin, home of the Maccabees, Jerusalem, Beth-Horon, Bethsura, Jaffa, Kedesh, Gazara.
THE MACCABEES.
The Story of a Village Priest and His Five Sons Who Made a Gallant Struggle for Liberty.
(Palestine was one of the countries overrun and conquered by Alexander the Great. One of his successors, Antiochus IV., attempted to force Greek customs and worship upon the people. Many Jews yielded, but some resisted. Because of this resistance the foreign soldiery massacred many of the people, including helpless women and children. Jerusalem was destroyed, and the altars of the Lord broken down and polluted. Then, as in the brave days of old, arose a deliverer. A priest named Mattathias lived with his five stalwart sons in the little village of Modin. They slew the king's officer who attempted to impose foreign religious rites upon the villagers, and, fleeing to the mountains, set up the standard of revolt. The greatest of the sons of the priest was called Maccabaeus, "the Hammer," because he smote his enemies so fiercely. From this, his family and his followers came to be called "Maccabees." These great warriors won many battles against great odds, and set the nation free. There is no more heroic story in all the history of Israel than theirs. The story is told in the "Books of the Maccabees," which are contained in what is called the "Apocrypha.")
[Footnote: Apocrypha--See note at the end of the volume. [III.489], [V.510], [V.527].]
I.
How Alexander the Great, After He Had Conquered the World, Died, and How the Evil Antiochus Reigned in His Stead in Palestine.
And it came to pass, after Alexander the Macedonian, the son of Philip, came and smote Darius king of the Persians and Medes, and reigned in his stead, that he fought many battles, and won many strongholds, and slew the kings of the earth, and went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of a multitude of nations. And the earth was quiet before him, and he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up, and he gathered together an exceeding strong host, and ruled over countries and nations and principalities, and they became tributary unto him. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. And he called his generals, and he divided unto them his kingdom, while he was yet alive. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died. And his generals bore rule, each one in his place. And they all put crowns upon themselves after he was dead, and so did their sons after them many years: and they multiplied evils in the earth.
In those days came there forth out of Israel transgressors of the law, and persuaded many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles that are round about us; for since we were parted from them many evils have befallen us."
And the saying was good in their eyes. And certain of the people were eager in this matter and went to the king, and he gave them license to do after the ordinances [{420}] of the Gentiles. And they forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the Gentiles, and sold themselves to do evil.
II.
How Antiochus, After He Had Conquered Egypt, Returned to Bring Woeful Persecution Upon the Jews.
And a wicked ruler arose, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
And the kingdom was well ordered in the sight of Antiochus, and he thought to reign over Egypt, that he might reign over the two kingdoms. And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and with elephants, and with horsemen, and with a great navy; and he made war against Ptolemy king of Egypt; and Ptolemy was put to shame before him, and fled; and many fell wounded to death. And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt.
And Antiochus, after he had smitten Egypt, returned in the hundred and forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick, and all that pertained thereto, and the table of the showbread, and the cups, and the bowls, and the golden censers, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornaments which were before the temple, and he pulled them all off. And he took [{421}] the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found. And when he had taken all, he went away into his own land, having made a great massacre.
And after two full years the king sent a chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Judah, and he came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude. And he spoke peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they believed him he fell upon the city suddenly, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people out of Israel. And he took the spoils of the city, and set it on fire, and pulled down the houses thereof and the walls thereof on every side. And they led captive the women and the children, and the cattle they took in possession. And they builded the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became unto them a citadel. And they put there a garrison of cruel soldiers, transgressors of the law, and they strengthened themselves therein. And they stored up arms and provisions, and gathering together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there. And they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them; and she became a habitation of strangers, and she became strange to them that were born in her, and her children forsook her. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, her honor into contempt. According to her glory, so was her dishonor multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning.
And King Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, and that each should forsake his own laws. And all the nations agreed according to the word of the king; and many of Israel consented to his worship, and sacrificed to the idols and profaned the Sabbath. And the king sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, that they should follow laws strange to the land, and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts, and pollute the sanctuary and them that were holy; that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swine's flesh and unclean beasts. And whosoever shall not do according to the word of the king, he shall die. According to all these words wrote he to his whole kingdom; and he appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Judah to sacrifice, city by city. And from the people were gathered together unto them many, everyone that had forsaken the law; and they did evil things in the land; and they made the Israelites to hide themselves in every place of refuge which they had.
III.
How Mattathias the Priest and His Five Sons Rebelled Against the Authority of the King, and Fled to the Mountains.
In those days rose up Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest from Jerusalem; and he dwelt at Modin. And he had five sons, John, who was surnamed [{423}] Gaddis; Simon, who was called Thassi; Judas, who was called Maccabaeus; Eleazar, who was called Avaran; Jonathan, who was called Apphus.
And he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Judah and in Jerusalem, and he said,--
"Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see the destruction of my people, and the destruction of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was given into the hand of the enemy, the sanctuary into the hand of aliens? Her temple is become as a man without glory: her vessels of glory are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in her streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy. What nation hath not inherited her palaces, and gotten possession of her spoils? her adorning is all taken away; instead of a free woman she is become a bond woman: and, behold, our holy things and our beauty and our glory are laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned them. Wherefore should we live any longer?"
And Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned exceedingly.
And the king's officers, that were enforcing the evil laws, came into the city Modin to sacrifice. And many of Israel came unto them, and Mattathias and his sons were gathered together. And the king's officers answered and spoke to Mattathias, saying, "Thou art a ruler and an honorable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren: now therefore come thou first and do the commandment of the king, as all the nations have done, and the men of Judah, and they that remain in [{424}] Jerusalem: and thou and thy house shall be in the number of the king's Friends, and thou and thy sons shall be honored with silver and gold and many gifts."
And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, "If all the nations that are under the king's dominion hearken unto him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have made choice to follow his commandments, yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. Heaven forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. We will not hearken to the king's words, to go aside from our worship, on the right hand, or on the left."
And when he had ceased speaking these words, there came a Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment. And Mattathias saw it, and his zeal was kindled, and he was hot with indignation, and ran, and slew him upon the altar. And the king's officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and pulled down the altar. And Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, "Whosoever is zealous for the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him come forth after me."
And he and his sons fled into the mountains, and forsook all that they had in the city.
IV.
How a Thousand Jews Were Slaughtered Because They Would Not Fight on the Sabbath Day.
Then many that sought after justice and judgment, went out into the wilderness, to dwell there, they, and their sons, and their wives, and their cattle; because evils were multiplied upon them. And it was told the king's officers, and the forces that were in Jerusalem, the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone out into the secret places in the wilderness; and many pursued after them, and having overtaken them, they encamped against them, and set the battle in array against them on the Sabbath day.
And they said unto them, "Come forth, and do according to the word of the king, and ye shall live."
And they said, "We will not come forth, neither will we do the word of the king, to profane the Sabbath day."
And they hasted to give them battle. And they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places, saying, "Let us all die in our innocency: heaven and earth witness over us, that ye put us to death without trial."
And they rose up against them in battle on the Sabbath, and they died, they and their wives and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand souls.
V.
How Mattathias Died, and Bequeathed the Task of Freeing Israel to His Sons.
And Mattathias and his friends knew it, and they mourned over them exceedingly. And one said to another, "If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not against the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they will now quickly destroy us from off the earth." And they took counsel on that day, saying, "Whosoever shall come against us to battle on the Sabbath day, let us fight against him, and we shall in no wise all die, as our brethren died in the secret places." Then were gathered together unto them a company of mighty men of Israel, every one that offered himself willingly for the law. And all they that fled from the evils were added to them, and became a stay unto them. And they mustered a host, and smote sinners in their anger, and lawless men in their wrath: and the rest fled to the Gentiles for safety. And Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars. And they pursued after the sons of pride, and the work prospered in their hand. And they rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of the kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
And the days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said unto his sons,--
"Now have pride and rebuke gotten strength, and a season of overthrow, and wrath of indignation. And now, my children, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives [{427}] for the covenant of your fathers. And call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers, which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness? Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt. Phinehas our father, because he was zealous exceedingly, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Joshua for fulfilling the word became a judge in Israel. Caleb for bearing witness among the people obtained a heritage in the land. David for being merciful inherited the throne of a kingdom for ever and ever. Elijah, because he was exceeding zealous for the law, was taken up into heaven. Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, believed, and were saved out of the flame. Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. And thus consider ye from generation to generation, that none that put their trust in him shall want for strength. And be not afraid of the words of a sinful man; for his glory shall come to naught. To-day he shall be lifted up, and to-morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned unto his dust, and his thought is perished. And ye, my children, be strong, and show yourselves men in behalf of the law; for therein shall ye obtain glory. And, behold, Simon your brother, I know that he is a man of counsel; give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you. And Judas Maccabaeus, he hath been strong and mighty from his youth: he shall be your captain, and shall fight the battle of the people. And take ye unto you all the doers of [{428}] the law, and avenge the wrong of your people. Render a recompense to the Gentiles, and take heed to the commandments of the law."
And he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. And he died in the hundred and forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchers of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.
VI.
How "Judas the Hammer" Took Command of the Forces of Israel.
And his son Judas, who was called Maccabaeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with gladness the battle of Israel. And he got his people great glory, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and set battles in array, protecting the army with his sword. And he was like a lion in his deeds, and as a lion's whelp roaring for prey. And he pursued the lawless, seeking them out, and he burnt up those that troubled his people. And the lawless shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of lawlessness were sore troubled, and salvation prospered in his hand. And he angered many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. And he went about among the cities of Judah, and destroyed the ungodly out of the land, and turned away wrath from Israel: and he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he gathered together such as were ready to perish.
RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CITY.
This picture shows one of the ruined cities near the coast, important during the period of the Maccabees, and later in the time of the Crusaders.
VII.
How Judas Won His Sword from the Foe.
And Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host from Samaria, to fight against Israel. And Judas perceived it, and he went forth to meet him, and smote him, and slew him: and many fell wounded to death, and the rest fled. And they took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and therewith he fought all his days.
VIII.
How Judas, with a Small Force, Overcame the Syrians at Beth-horon.
And Seron, the commander of the host of Syria, heard that Judas had gathered a host of faithful men with him, and of such as went out to war; and he said, "I will make myself a name and get me glory in the kingdom; and I will fight against Judas and them that are with him, that set at naught the word of the king."
And there went up with him also a mighty army of the ungodly to help him, to take vengeance on the children of Israel.
And he came near to the pass of Beth-horan, and Judas went forth to meet him with a small company. But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judas, "What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? and we for our part are faint, having tasted no food this day."
And Judas said, "It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with heaven it is all one, to save by many or by few: for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of a host; but strength is from heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us: but we fight for our lives and our laws. And he himself will discomfit them before our face: but as for you, be ye not afraid of them."
Now when he had left off speaking, he leaped suddenly upon them, and Seron and his army were discomfited before him. And they pursued them in the pass of Beth-horon unto the plain, and there fell of them about eight hundred men; but the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.
And the fear of Judas and his brethren, and the dread of them, began to fall upon the nations round about them: and his name came even unto the king, and every nation told of the battles of Judas.
IX.
How Judas Deceived the Enemy by a Night March, How He Fell Upon the Syrian Camp, and Scattered the Syrian Army, Winning Great Glory and Gaining Much Spoil.
And after this Judas appointed leaders of the people, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens. And the army removed, and encamped upon the south side of Emmaus.
And Judas said, "Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these Gentiles, that are assembled together against us to destroy us, and our holy place: for it is better for us to die in battle, than to look upon the evils of our nation and the holy place. Nevertheless, as may be the will in heaven, so shall he do."
And Gorgias took five thousand footmen, and a thousand chosen horse, and the army marched by night, that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and smite them suddenly: and the men of the citadel were his guides. And Judas heard thereof, and he also marched by night, he and the valiant men, that he might smite the king's host which was at Emmaus, while as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. And Gorgias came into the camp of Judas by night, and found no man; and he sought them in the mountains; for he said, "These men flee from us."
And as soon as it was day, Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men: howbeit they had neither suitable armor nor swords. And they saw the camp of the Gentiles strong and fortified, and horsemen compassing it round about; and these were expert in war.
And Judas said to the men that were with him, "Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their onset. Remember how our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a host. And now let us cry unto heaven, if he will pity us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this army before us to-day: and all the Gentiles shall know that there is one who redeemeth and saveth Israel."
And the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them: and they went out of the camp to battle. And they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets, and joined battle, and the Gentiles were discomfited, and fled into the plain. But all the hindmost fell by the sword: and they pursued them a long distance, and there fell of them about three thousand men.
And Judas and his host returned from pursuing after them, and he said unto the people, "Be not greedy of the spoils, inasmuch as there is a battle before us; and Gorgias and his host are nigh unto us in the mountain. But stand ye now against our enemies, and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness."
While Judas was yet speaking, there appeared a part of them looking out from the mountain: and they saw that their host had been put to flight, and that the Jews were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done. But when they perceived these things, they were sore afraid; and perceiving also the army of Judas in the plain ready for battle, they fled all of them into the land of the Philistines.
And Judas returned to spoil the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue, and sea purple, and great riches. And they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise unto heaven; because his mercy is good, because his mercy endureth forever. And Israel had a great deliverance that day.
SIDON, ON THE ROAD FROM TYRE.
From a photograph taken by Dr. W. J. Moulton, and used by his kind permission.
X.
How Judas Defeated Another Great Army of the Syrians.
But the strangers, as many as had escaped, came and told Lysias all the things that had happened: but when he heard thereof, he was confounded and discouraged.
And in the next year he gathered together threescore thousand chosen footmen, and five thousand horse, that he might subdue them. And they came into Idumaea, and encamped at Bethsura; and Judas met them with ten thousand men. And he saw that the army was strong, and he prayed and said,--
"Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the onset of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver the army of the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his armor-bearer: shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be ashamed for their host and their horsemen: give them faintness of heart, and cause the boldness of their strength to melt away, and let them quake at their destruction: cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving."
And they joined battle; and there fell of the army of Lysias about five thousand men, and they fell down over against them. But when Lysias saw that his array was put to flight, and the boldness that had come upon them that were with Judas, and how they were ready either to live or to die nobly, he removed to Antioch, and gathered together hired soldiers, that he might come again into Judaea with even a greater company.
XI.
How the Temple Was Purified.
But Judas and his brethren said, "Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh."
And all the army was gathered together, and they went up unto Mount Sion. And they saw the sanctuary laid desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest or as on one of the mountains, and the priests' chambers pulled down; and they rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and put ashes upon their heads, and fell on their faces to the ground, and blew with the solemn trumpets, and cried toward heaven. Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the citadel, until he should have cleansed the holy place.
And he chose blameless priests, such as had pleasure in the law: and they cleansed the holy place, and bore out the stones of defilement into an unclean place. And they took counsel concerning the altar of burnt offerings, which had been profaned, what they should do with it: and there came into their mind a good counsel, that they should pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the Gentiles had defiled it: and they pulled down the altar, and laid up the stones in a convenient place near the temple, until there should come a prophet to show what should be done with them. And they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar after the [{439}] fashion of the former; and they built the holy place, and the inner parts of the house; and they hallowed the courts. And they made the holy vessels new, and they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings and of incense, and the table, into the temple. And they burned incense upon the altar, and they lighted the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple. And they set loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they made.
XII.
How the King Himself, with an Army of 100,000 Men and a Herd of Thirty-two Fighting Elephants Came Against Judas, and How an Indecisive Battle Was Fought. How Eleazar Did a Brave Deed and Died in the Doing of It.
And when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his Friends, even the generals of his host, and the captains of the horse. And there came unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers. And the number of his forces was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants trained for war. And they went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war; and they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
And Judas removed from the citadel, and encamped at Bethzacharias, over against the king's camp. And the [{440}] king rose early in the morning, and removed his army at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias, and his forces made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets. And they showed the elephants the blood of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle. And they divided the beasts among the phalanxes, and they set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail, and helmets of brass on their heads; and for each elephant were appointed five hundred chosen horsemen. These were ready beforehand, wheresoever the elephant was; and whithersoever the elephant went, they went with him; they departed not from him. And towers of wood were upon them, strong and covered, one upon each elephant, girt fast upon him with cunning contrivances; and upon each elephant were two and thirty valiant men that fought upon them, beside his driver (and the rest of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror into the enemy, and protected by the phalanxes. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains shone therewith, and blazed like torches of fire.
And a part of the king's army was spread upon the high mountains, and some on the low ground, and they went on firmly and in order. And all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the multitude, and the rattling of the arms, trembled: for the army was exceeding great and strong.
RUINS OF THE CASTLE AT SIDON.
From a photograph taken by Dr. W. J. Moulton, and used by his kind permission.
The famous city on the coast which held, with its great rival, Tyre, the commercial supremacy of the East. It was the scene of innumerable battles and sieges.
And Judas and his army drew near for battle, and there fell of the king's army six hundred men. And Eleazar, who was called Avaran, saw one of the elephants armed with royal breastplates, and he was higher than all the elephants, and the king seemed to be upon him; and he determined to deliver his people, and to get him an everlasting name; and he ran upon him courageously into the midst of the phalanx, and slew on the right hand and on the left, and they parted asunder from him on this side and on that. And he crept under the elephant, and thrust him from beneath, and slew him; and the elephant fell to the earth upon him, and he died there. And they saw the strength of the kingdom, and the fierce onset of the hosts, and they retreated.
XIII.
How Judas Defeated Nicanor and Cut Off His Head.
And the king sent Nicanor, one of his honorable princes, a man that hated Israel and was their enemy, and commanded him to destroy the people. And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great host; and he sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with words of peace, saying, "Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see your faces in peace."
And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. And the enemies were ready to take away Judas by violence. And the thing was known to Judas, that he came unto him with deceit, and he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more. And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered; and he went out [{444}] to meet Judas in battle, and there fell of Nicanor's side about five hundred men, and they fled into the city of David.
And after these things Nicanor went up to Mount Sion: and there came some of the priests out of the sanctuary, and some of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to show him the whole burnt sacrifice that was being offered for the king. And he mocked them, and laughed at them, and entreated them shamefully, and spoke haughtily, and swore in a rage, saying, "Unless Judas and his army be now delivered into my hands, it shall be that, if I come again in peace, I will burn up this house": and he went out in a great rage. And the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple; and they wept, and said, "Thou didst choose this house to be called by thy name, to be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people: take vengeance on this man and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to live any longer."
And Nicanor went forth from Jerusalem, and encamped in Beth-horon, and there joined him the host of Syria. And Judas encamped with three thousand men: and Judas prayed and said, "When they that came from the king blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote among them a hundred and fourscore and five thousand. Even so discomfit thou this army before us to-day, and let all the rest know that he hath spoken wickedly against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness."
And on the thirteenth day of the month Adar the armies [{445}] joined battle: and Nicanor's army was discomfited, and he himself was the first to fall in the battle. Now when his army saw that Nicanor was fallen, they cast away their arms, and fled. And the Jews pursued after them a day's journey, and they sounded an alarm after them with the solemn trumpets. And they came forth out of all the villages of Judaea round about, and hemmed them in on every side, so that they all fell by the sword, and there was not one of them left. And they took the spoils, and the booty, and they smote off Nicanor's head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so haughtily, and brought them, and hanged them up beside Jerusalem. And the people were exceeding glad, and they kept that day as a day of great gladness. And they ordained to keep this day year by year, the thirteenth day of Adar. And the land of Judah had rest a little while.
XIV.
How Judas Made a Treaty with Rome.
And Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are valiant men, and have pleasure in all that join themselves unto them, and make a league with all such as come unto them. And they told him of their wars and exploits which they do among the Gauls, and how that they conquered them, and brought them under tribute; and what things they did in the land of Spain, that they might become masters of the mines of silver and gold which were [{446}] there; and how by their policy and persistence they conquered all the place (and the place was exceeding far from them), and the kings that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, until they had discomfited them, and smitten them very sore; and how the rest give them tribute year by year: Antiochus also, the great king of Asia, who came against them to battle, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horse, and chariots, and an exceeding great host, and he was discomfited by them, and they took him alive, and appointed that both he and such as reigned after him should give them a great tribute, and should give hostages, and the country of India, and Media, and Lydia, and of the goodliest of their countries; and they took them from him, and gave them to King Eumenes: and how they of Greece took counsel to come and destroy them; and the thing was known to them, and they sent against them a captain, and fought against them, and many of them fell down wounded to death, and they made captive their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and conquered their land, and pulled down their strongholds, and spoiled them, and brought them into bondage unto this day: and the rest of the kingdoms and of the isles, as many as rose up against them at any time, they destroyed and made them to be their servants; but with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept peace; and they conquered the kingdoms that were near and those that were far off, and all that heard of their fame were afraid of them: moreover, whomsoever they will to succor and to make kings, these [{447}] do they make kings; and whomsoever they will, do they depose; and they are exalted exceedingly: and for all this none of them did ever put on a crown, neither did they clothe themselves with purple, to be magnified thereby: and how they had made for themselves a senate house, and day by day three hundred and twenty men sat in council, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered: and how they commit their government to one man year by year, that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country, and all are obedient to that one, and there is neither envy nor emulation among them.
And Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, and Jason, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of peace and confederacy with them, and that they should take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Syrians did keep Israel in bondage. And they went to Rome (and the way was exceeding long), and they entered into the senate house, and said, "Judas, who is also called Maccabaeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends."
And the thing was well-pleasing in their sight. And this is the copy of the writing which they wrote back again on tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of peace and confederacy:--
Good success be to the Romans, and to the nation of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: the sword also and the [{448}] enemy be far from them. But if war arise for Rome first, or any of their confederates in all their dominion, the nation of the Jews shall help them as confederates, as the occasion shall prescribe to them, with all their heart: and unto them that make war upon them they shall not give, neither supply, food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome, and they shall keep their ordinances without taking anything therefor. In the same manner moreover if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them as confederates with all their soul, as the occasion shall prescribe to them: and to them that are confederates with their foes there shall not be given food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome; and they shall keep these ordinances, and that without deceit. According to these words have the Romans made a covenant thus with the people of the Jews. But if hereafter the one party and the other shall take counsel to add or diminish anything, they shall do it at their pleasure, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be established.
XV.
How Judas, Fighting Desperately Against Fearful Odds, Died Upon the Field of Battle.
And Demetrius, the king who succeeded Antiochus, heard that Nicanor was fallen with his forces in battle, and he sent Bacchides and Alcimus again into the land of Judah a second time, and the right wing of his army with them: and they went by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and encamped against Mesaloth, which is in Arbela, and [{449}] got possession of it, and destroyed much people. And the first month of the hundred and fifty and second year they encamped against Jerusalem: and they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horse. And Judas was encamped at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him: and they saw the multitude of the forces, that they were many, and they feared exceedingly: and many slipped away out of the army; there were not left of them more than eight hundred men.
And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and that the battle pressed upon him, and he was sore troubled in heart, for he had no time to gather them together, and he became discouraged. And he said to them that were left, "Let us arise and go up against our adversaries, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them."
And they would have dissuaded him, saying, "We shall in no wise be able: but let us rather save our lives now: let us return again, we and our brethren, and fight against them: but we are few."
And Judas said, "Let it not be so that I should do this thing, to flee from them: and if our time is come, let us die manfully for our brethren's sake, and not stain our honor."
And the host removed from the camp, and stood to encounter them, and the horse was parted into two companies, and the slingers and the archers went before the host, and all the mighty men that fought in the front of the battle.
But Bacchides was in the right wing; and the phalanx drew near on the two parts, and they blew with their [{450}] trumpets. And the men of Judas' side, even they sounded with their trumpets, and the earth shook with the shout of the armies, and the battle was joined, and continued from morning until evening.
And Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, and there went with him all that were brave in heart, and the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued after them unto the mount Azotus. And they that were on the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they turned and followed upon the footsteps of Judas and of those that were with him: and the battle waxed sore, and many on both sides fell wounded to death.
And Judas fell, and the rest fled. And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulcher of his fathers at Modin. And they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said, "How is the mighty fallen, the saviour of Israel!"
(Judas' last battle, in which, with only 800 men, he almost overcame 22,000, has been called the "Thermopylae of the Jews." The following is an estimate of the character and services of this great leader:--
"In the long roll of Israelitish worthies we meet with no more striking personality than that of Judas Maccabaeus. His piety was manifest to all; his motives were pure and unselfish; he fought for God's glory and his country's good. His unselfish devotion was equaled by his military genius. For seven years, with an enthusiasm that never flagged, he led the Jews to victory, and died only when the noblest heroism could not conquer.")
XVI.
How Jonathan Became Leader in Place of Judas.
And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the lawless took courage and became active in all the land of Israel, and all they that wrought iniquity rose up (in those days was there an exceeding great famine), and the country went over with them. And Bacchides chose out the ungodly men and made them lords of the country. And they sought out and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them unto Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them, and used them despitefully. And there was great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the time of the prophets. And all the friends of Judas were gathered together, and they said unto Jonathan, "Since thy brother Judas hath died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies and Bacchides, and among them of our nation that hate us. Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and leader in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles."
And Jonathan took the leadership upon him at that time, and rose up in place of his brother Judas.
XVII.
How Jonathan and His Men, After Fighting a Superior Force, Swam the Jordan River and Escaped.
When Bacchides heard that the Jews had chosen another leader, he came on the Sabbath day unto the banks [{452}] of Jordan with a great host. And Jonathan said to his company, "Let us stand up now and fight for our lives, for it is not with us to-day, as yesterday and the day before. For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us; moreover the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that side, and marsh and wood; and there is no place to turn aside. Now therefore cry unto heaven, that ye may be delivered out of the hand of your enemies."
And the battle was joined, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, and he escaped from him. And Jonathan and they that were with him leaped into the Jordan, and swam over to the other side: and the Syrians did not pass over Jordan against them. And there fell of Bacchides' company that day about a thousand men.
XVIII.
How King Demetrius Made a Treaty and How Jonathan, in Despite of Him, Took the City of Joppa.
(Alexander slew Demetrius and succeeded him as king, but a son of Demetrius, also named Demetrius, attempted to recover his father's kingdom, and sent an army into Palestine. Jonathan remained on the side of King Alexander, and conquered Apollonius, general of Demetrius.)
And in the hundred and threescore and fifth year came Demetrius, son of Demetrius, out of Crete into the land of his fathers: and King Alexander heard thereof, and he was grieved exceedingly, and returned unto Antioch. And Demetrius appointed Apollonius, who was over Coelesyria, and he gathered together a great host, and encamped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan, the high priest, saying,--
SITE OF APHAMEA.
From a photograph in the possession of Rev. Louis F. Giroux of the American International College, Springfield, Mass., and used by his kind permission.
The capital of Seleucus Nicator, one of Alexander's generals, founder of the famous dynasty of the Seleucidae. These kings are mentioned in the book of Daniel and in the books of the Maccabees. This is the region from which the kings of the North used to come down against Palestine
"Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, but I am had in derision and in reproach because of thee. And why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains? Now therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try the matter together; for with me is the power of the cities. Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that help us; and they say, 'Your foot cannot stand before our face; for thy fathers have been twice put to flight in their own land.' And now thou shalt not be able to abide the horse and such a host as this in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto."
Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and he chose out ten thousand men, and went forth from Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him. And he encamped against Joppa: and they of the city shut him out, because Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa: and they fought against it. And they of the city were afraid, and opened unto him: and Jonathan became master of Joppa.
XIX.
How Jonathan Put to Rout Apollonius and His Regiments of Cavalry.
And Apollonius heard, and he gathered an army of three thousand horse, and a great host, and went to Azotus as though he were on a journey, and from thence drew [{456}] onward into the plain, because he had a multitude of horse, and trusted therein. And Jonathan pursued after him to Azotus, and the armies joined battle.
And Apollonius had left a thousand horse behind them in ambush. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him. And they surrounded his army, and cast their darts at the people, from morning until evening: but the people stood still, as Jonathan commanded them: and their horses were wearied. And Simon drew forth his host, and joined battle with the phalanx (for the horsemen were tired), and they were discomfited by him, and fled. And the horsemen were scattered in the plain, and they fled to Azotus, and entered into Beth-dagon, their idol's temple, to save themselves.
And Jonathan burned Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, and them that fled into it, he burned with fire. And they that had fallen by the sword, with them that were burned, were about eight thousand men. And from thence Jonathan marched, and encamped against Ascalon, and they of the city came forth to meet him with great pomp. And Jonathan, with them that were on his side, returned unto Jerusalem, having many spoils.
And it came to pass, when King Alexander heard these things, he honored Jonathan; and he sent unto him a buckle of gold, as the custom is to give to such as are of the kindred of the kings: and he gave him Ekron and all the coasts thereof for a possession.
JAFFA, THE ANCIENT JOPPA.
Joppa has a long and famous history of battle and siege. Many times it has changed hands and has known many masters. Its Jewish inhabitants were massacred early in the Maccabean struggle. It was attacked at night by Judas Maccabeus, who burned the boats in the harbor. It was captured by Jonathan and again by Simon. It was several times captured in the Roman wars--by Gallus, when 8,400 Jews were killed; by Vespasian, in 68 A.D., when 4,200 people perished. It was the seat of conflict during the Crusades, and was taken by Napoleon.
XX.
How Jonathan and Two Valiant Captains Stood Against a Host.
And Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Kedesh, which is in Galilee, with a great host, purposing to remove him from his office; and he went to meet them, but Simon his brother he left in the country.
And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and shut it up: and they desired to have peace, which he granted them, and he put them out from thence, and took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it.
And Jonathan and his army encamped at the water of Gennesaret, and early in the morning they went to the plain of Hazor. And, behold, an army of strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains, but themselves met him face to face. But they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle; and all they that were of Jonathan's side fled: not one of them was left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi, captains of the forces.
And Jonathan rent his clothes, and put earth upon his head, and prayed. And he turned again unto them in battle, and put them to the rout, and they fled. And they of his side that fled saw it, and returned unto him, and pursued with him unto Kedesh unto their camp, and they encamped there. And there fell of the strangers on that day about three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.
XXI.
How Jonathan Fell at Last Into the Hands of a Crafty Foe.
And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to put on himself the crown, and to stretch forth his hand against Antiochus the king. And he was afraid lest Jonathan should not permit him, and lest he should fight against him; and he sought a way how to take him, that he might destroy him. And he removed, and came to Bethshan. And Jonathan came forth to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan. And Tryphon saw that he came with a great host, and he was afraid to stretch forth his hand against him: and he received him honorably, and commended him unto all his Friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient unto him, as unto himself. And he said unto Jonathan, "Why hast thou put all this people to trouble, seeing there is no war between us? And now send them away to their homes, but choose for thyself a few men who shall be with thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it up to thee, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king's officers: and I will return and depart; for this is the cause of my coming."
And he put 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, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and laid hands on him; and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.
THE LAKE OF GALILEE.
The Galilee country, so important in the life of Jesus, was the scene of many of the operations of the military campaigns of the Maccabees.
And Tryphon sent forces and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's men. And they perceived that he was taken and had perished, and they that were with him; and they encouraged one another, and went on their way close together, prepared to fight. And they that followed upon them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.
And they all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; and all Israel mourned with a great mourning. And all the Gentiles that were round about them sought to destroy them utterly: for they said, "They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us fight against them, and take away their memory from among men."
XXII.
How Simon Became Captain in Place of Jonathan.
And Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty host to come into the land of Judah, and destroy it utterly. And he saw that the people trembled and were in great fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together; and he encouraged them, and said unto them, "Ye yourselves know all the things that I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen: by reason hereof all my brethren have [{464}] perished for Israel's sake, and I am left alone. And now be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of affliction; for I am not better than my brethren, Howbeit I will take vengeance for my nation, and for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children; because all the Gentiles are gathered to destroy us of very hatred."
And the spirit of the people revived, as soon as they heard these words. And they answered with a loud voice, saying, "Thou art our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan thy brother. Fight thou, our battles, and all that thou shalt say unto us, that will we do."
And he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about. And he sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, and with him a great host, to Joppa: and he cast out those that were therein, and abode there in it.
XXIII.
How the Enemy Was Hindered by a Great Fall of Snow, and How Jonathan Met His Death.
And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a mighty host to enter into the land of Judah, and Jonathan was with him in prison. But Simon encamped at Adida, over against the plain. And Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, and he sent ambassadors unto him, saying, "It is for money which Jonathan thy brother owed unto the king's treasure, by reason of the offices which he had, that we hold him fast.
JERUSALEM
From an old photograph in the possession of the Springfield Public Library, and used by kind permission.
This view is taken from the city walls. The famous mosque of Omar is in the center.
"Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
"Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
"Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
"For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
"Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces."
And now send a hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will set him at liberty."
And Simon knew that they spoke unto him deceitfully; and he sendeth the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people, and they should say, "Because I sent him not the money and the children, he perished."
And he sent the children and the hundred talents. And Tryphon dealt falsely, and did not set Jonathan at liberty. And after this Tryphon came to invade the land, and destroy it, and he went round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora: and Simon and his army marched over against him to every place, wheresoever he went. Now they of the citadel sent unto Tryphon ambassadors, hastening him to come unto them through the wilderness, and to send them provisions. And Tryphon made ready all his horse to come: and on that night there fell a very great snow, and he came not because of the snow.
And he removed, and came into the country of Gilead. But when he came near to Bascama, he slew Jonathan, and he was buried there. And Tryphon returned, and went away into his own land.
XXIV.
How Simon Built a Great Monument in Honor of His Father, His Mother, and His Valiant Brethren.
And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried him at Modin, the city of his fathers. [{468}] And all Israel made great lamentation over him, and mourned for him many days. And Simon built a monument upon the sepulcher of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with polished stone behind and before. And he set up seven pyramids, one over against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren. And for these he made cunning devices, setting about them great pillars, and upon the pillars he fashioned all manner of arms for a perpetual memory, and beside the arms ships carved, that they should be seen of all that sail on the sea. This is the sepulcher which he made at Modin, and it is there unto this day.
XXV.
How Simon Made a Treaty of Peace with King Demetrius.
Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, and put on himself the crown of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land. And Simon built the strongholds of Judaea, and fortified them with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars; and he laid up provisions in the strongholds. And Simon chose men, and sent to King Demetrius, to give the country help, because all that Tryphon did was to plunder. And King Demetrius sent unto him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter unto him, after this manner:--
JERUSALEM
From an old photograph in the possession of the Springfield Public Library, and used by kind permission.
This is a beautiful picture of a portion of that city which was so greatly beloved by the people of Judah.
"King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest and Friend of kings, and unto the elders and nation of the Jews, greeting:--
"The golden crown, and the palm branch, which ye sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a steadfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to grant immunities unto you. And whatsoever things we confirmed unto you, they are confirmed; and the strongholds, which ye have builded, let them be your own. As for any oversights and faults committed unto this day, we forgive them, and the crown tax which ye owed us: and if there were any other toll exacted in Jerusalem, let it be exacted no longer. And if there be any among you meet to be enrolled in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us."
In the hundred and seventieth year was the yoke of the heathen taken away from Israel. And the people began to write in their instruments and contracts, "In the first year of Simon the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews."
XXVI.
How the City of Gazara and the Citadel of Jerusalem Fell Into the Hands of Simon.
(Gazara is the city called in the Old Testament Gaza. It has recently been excavated, and many ancient buildings have been dug up. One of them is thought to be the palace which Simon built.)
In those days he encamped against Gazara, and compassed it round about with armies; and he made an engine of siege, and brought it up to the city, and smote a tower, and took it. And they that were in the engine leaped forth into the city; and there was a great uproar in the [{472}] city: and they of the city rent their clothes, and went up on the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to give them peace. And they said, "Deal not with us according to our wickednesses, but according to thy mercy."
And Simon was reconciled unto them, and did not fight against them: and he put them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with singing and giving praise. And he put all uncleanness out of it, and placed in it such men as would keep the law, and made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwelling place for himself.
But they of the citadel in Jerusalem were hindered from going forth, and from going into the country, and from buying and selling; and they hungered exceedingly, and a great number of them perished through famine. And they cried out to Simon, that he should give them peace; and he gave it to them: and he put them out from thence, and he cleansed the citadel from its pollutions. And he entered into it on the three and twentieth day of the second month, in the hundred and seventy and first year, with praise and palm branches, and with harps, and with cymbals, and with viols, and with hymns, and with songs: because a great enemy was destroyed out of Israel.
And he ordained that they should keep that day every year with gladness. And the hill of the temple that was by the citadel he made stronger than before, and there he dwelt, himself and his men. And Simon saw that John his son was a valiant man, and he made him leader of all his forces: and he dwelt in Gazara.
ASCALON, ON THE SHORE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and used by special permission.
Here was once an important city on the low sandy coast without a harbor. It was captured by Jonathan in the Maccabean wars, and was an important city during the time of the Crusades.
XXVII.
How There Was Prosperity in the Land in the Days of Simon.
And the land had rest all the days of Simon: and he sought the good of his nation; and his authority and his glory was well-pleasing to them all his days. And amid all his glory he took Joppa for a haven, and made it a port of entrance for the isles of the sea; and he enlarged the borders of his nation, and got possession of the country; and he gathered together a great number of captives, and got the dominion of Gazara, and Bethsura, and the citadel, and he took away from it its uncleannesses; and there was none that resisted him. And they tilled their land in peace, and the land gave her increase, and the trees of the plains their fruit. The ancient men sat in the streets, they communed all of them together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel. He provided victuals for the cities, and furnished them with all manner of munition, until the name of his glory was named unto the end of the earth. He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy: and they sat each man under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to make them afraid: and there ceased in the land any that fought against them: and the kings were discomfited in those days. And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out, and every lawless and wicked person he took away. He glorified the sanctuary, and the vessels of the temple he multiplied.
XXVIII.
How Antiochus, the Brother of King Demetrius, Spurned the Friendship of Simon.
But Antiochus the king encamped against Dor the second day, bringing his forces up to it continually, and making engines of war, and he shut up Tryphon from going in or out. And Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to fight on his side; and silver, and gold, and instruments of war in abundance. And he would not receive them, but set at naught all the covenants which he had made with him before, and was estranged from him. And he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his Friends, to commune with him, saying,--
"Ye hold possession of Joppa and Gazara, and the citadel that is in Jerusalem, cities of my kingdom. The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places in my kingdom. Now therefore deliver up the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judaea: or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done, and the tributes of the cities, five hundred talents more: or else we will come and subdue you."
And Athenobius the king's Friend came to Jerusalem; and he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver vessels, and his great attendance, and he was amazed; and he reported to him the king's words. And Simon answered, and said unto him,--
BARLEY HARVEST NEAR BETHLEHEM.
Copyright by Underwood & Underwood and used by special permission.
So Boaz and his harvesters must have looked in the time of Ruth. Bethlehem is one of the most fertile spots in rugged Judaea. Though the wilderness is not far away, here a spot of great fertility gave rise to the name of the "House of Bread."
"We have neither taken other men's land, nor have we possession of that which appertaineth to others, but of the inheritance of our fathers; howbeit, it was had in possession of our enemies wrongfully for a certain time. But we, having opportunity, hold fast the inheritance of our fathers. As touching Joppa and Gazara, which thou demandest, they did great harm among the people throughout our country, but we will give a hundred talents for them."
And he answered him not a word, but returned in a rage to the king, and reported unto him these words, and the glory of Simon, and all that he had seen: and the king was exceeding wroth. But Tryphon embarked on board a ship, and fled to Orthosia.
XXIX.
How the Chief Captain of Antiochus Invaded Israel, and How He Was Defeated by the Sons of Simon in a Great Battle at Modin.
And the king appointed Cendebaeus chief captain of the sea coast, and gave him forces of foot and horse: and he commanded him to encamp before Judaea, and he commanded him to build up Kidron, and to fortify the gates, and that he should fight against the people: but the king pursued Tryphon. And Cendebaeus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke the people, and to invade Judaea, and to take the people captive, and to slay them. And he built Kidron, and set horsemen there, and forces of foot, so that issuing out they might make raids into Judaea, according as the king commanded him.
And John went up from Gazara, and told Simon his father what Cendebaeus was doing. And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, "I and my brethren and my father's house have fought the battles of Israel from our youth, even unto this day; and things have prospered in our hands, that we should deliver Israel oftentimes. But now I am old, and ye moreover, by his mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go forth and fight for our nation; but let the help which is from heaven be with you."
And he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war and horsemen, and they went against Cendebaeus, and slept at Modin. And rising up in the morning, they went into the plain, and, behold, a great host came to meet them, of footmen and horsemen: and there was a brook between them. And he encamped over against them, he and his people: and he saw that the people were afraid to pass over the brook, and he passed over first, and the men saw him and passed over after him. And he divided the people, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: but the enemies' horsemen were exceeding many. And they sounded the trumpets; and Cendebaeus and his army were put to the rout, and there fell of them many wounded to death, but they that were left fled to the stronghold: at that time was Judas John's brother wounded: but John pursued after them, till he came unto Kidron, which Cendebaeus had built; and they fled unto the towers that are in the fields of Azotus; and he burned it with fire; and there fell of them about two thousand men. And he returned into Judaea in peace.
XXX.
How Simon and His Sons Were Betrayed and Murdered While Sitting at a Banquet.
And Ptolemy the son of Abubus had been appointed captain for the plain of Jericho, and he had much silver and gold; for he was the high priest's son in law. And his heart was lifted up, and he was minded to make himself master of the country, and he took counsel deceitfully against Simon and his sons, to make away with them.
Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; and he went down to Jericho, himself and Mattathias and Judas his sons, in the hundred and seventy and seventh year, in the eleventh month: and the son of Abubus received them deceitfully into the little stronghold that is called Dok, which he had built, and made them a great banquet, and hid men there. And when Simon and his sons had drunk freely, Ptolemy and his men rose up, and took their arms, and came in upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants. And he committed a great iniquity, and recompensed evil for good. And Ptolemy wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him forces to aid him, and should deliver him their country and the cities. And he sent others to Gazara to make away with John: and unto the captains of thousands he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver and gold and gifts. And others he sent to take possession of Jerusalem, and the mount of the temple.
And one ran before to Gazara, and told John that his father and brethren were perished, "and he hath sent to slay thee also." And when he heard, he was sore amazed; and he laid hands on the men that came to destroy him, and slew them; for he perceived that they were seeking to destroy him.
(This ends the story of a brave and successful attempt to win liberty for a downtrodden nation. "More than thirty years had passed since Mattathias openly resisted the religious persecution of his nation. In the faithful and skillful hands of his sons the crusade inaugurated by him had been singularly successful. One by one they had fallen in the sacred cause which he had committed to them. But they had not shed their blood in vain. The valor of the Maccabees had rehabilitated the Jewish nation. Not only was the old spirit of independence thoroughly aroused, but there was also developed a new consciousness of the worth of their revealed religion. As the most thrilling epoch in Jewish history, and that which shaped the last phase of Jewish belief prior to the advent of our Lord, the age of the Maccabees has a peculiar interest for the student of history."--W. Fairweather in Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible.
The dynasty of the Maccabees continued until the time of our Lord, but the noble blood of the heroes degenerated until the brilliant but cruel and evil-minded Herod the Great, by the murder of his own sons, ended the famous line of the Maccabees.)
JERUSALEM: LOOKING ALONG THE NORTHERN WALL.
The large building on the right is the new hospice for Russian pilgrims. Modern Jerusalem is growing rapidly in this direction to north and west on the high land. The road seen is a new one winding around the city and over the Mount of Olives to Jericho.
