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.