How do rival royal offers affect Jonathan’s position?

Alexander, son of Antiochus surnamed the Illustrious, takes Ptolemais in year 160 and is received as king. Demetrius gathers a great army against him. Wanting Jonathan’s friendship before Alexander obtains it, and anticipating remembrance of his past evils, Demetrius authorizes Jonathan to gather an army, make arms and receive the castle’s hostages. Jonathan reads the letter in Jerusalem, frightening those who hear his authority. The hostages return to their parents. Workmen rebuild the city’s walls and Mount Sion with square stones. Strangers abandon Bacchides’s strongholds and return home; some who forsook the law remain in Bethsura as refuge.

Alexander hears these promises and the brothers’ battles and labors. Calling Jonathan his brother and a man fit for friendship, he appoints him high priest and king’s friend, sends purple and a gold crown, and asks agreement in his affairs. Jonathan wears the holy vestment at Tabernacles in the seventh month of year 160, gathers an army and makes arms. Sorry that Alexander has gained an advantage, Demetrius sends a further letter promising rewards for fidelity. Its provisions are offers, not a record that they were all implemented.

He offers release from tribute, salt customs, crowns and thirds of seed, and from the royal half of tree fruit in Juda and the three added cities of Samaria and Galilee. Jerusalem and its borders are to be holy and free, retaining tenths and tribute. Castle authority would pass to the high priest; Jewish captives would be freed with tribute remitted even for cattle. Feasts, Sabbaths, new moons, appointed days and the three days before and after the solemn day would carry freedom and immunity from molestation. Thirty thousand Jews would receive the army’s allowance; some would occupy royal fortresses and trusted kingdom offices, with governors from themselves and their own laws. The three Samarian cities would answer only to the high priest.

Ptolemais and its borders would support Jerusalem’s holy expenses. The letter promises fifteen thousand sickles of silver yearly from the king’s accounts, unpaid earlier amounts for the house’s works, and five thousand yearly sickles formerly received from the holy-place account for the ministering priests. Royal debtors seeking the temple and its borders would gain liberty and free possessions. Royal revenue would fund holy-place repairs and Jerusalem’s and Judea’s walls. Jonathan and the people do not credit or receive these promises because they remember Demetrius’s severe afflictions. They favor Alexander as the chief promoter of peace toward them and help him. The source does not independently prove every offer deceitful or call Alexander’s motives pure.

Alexander defeats Demetrius in a hard battle lasting until sunset; Demetrius is killed. Alexander asks Ptolemee of Egypt for friendship and his daughter in marriage, promising worthy gifts. The edition calls Ptolemee Philometer. Ptolemee agrees and brings Cleopatra to Ptolemais in year 162 for the royal marriage. Summoned Jonathan comes honorably with gold, silver and presents for both kings. Wicked men of Israel accuse him, but the king pays no heed. Jonathan is clothed in purple and seated by himself. A city proclamation forbids complaints or trouble against him; the accusers flee. He becomes a chief friend, governor and partaker of dominion, then returns to Jerusalem in peace and joy.

In year 165 Demetrius son of Demetrius arrives from Crete, troubling Alexander, who returns to Antioch. Demetrius makes Apollonius, already governor of Celesyria, his general. From Jamnia he challenges Jonathan to the plain, citing his cavalry and army and the absence of stone, rock or escape, and claiming Jonathan’s fathers twice fled. Jonathan is moved by the words, selects ten thousand men and leaves Jerusalem; Simon joins to help. Joppe shuts them out because of Apollonius’s garrison, but its frightened inhabitants open the gates during the siege.

Apollonius advances with three thousand horsemen and a great army to Azotus, trusting his cavalry in the plain. Jonathan follows and joins battle. A thousand horsemen are privately left behind; Jonathan knows of the ambush. The enemy surrounds his army and casts darts from morning to evening. His people stand still as commanded, tiring the horses. No shield-locking formation is specified. Simon attacks the legion after the horsemen tire and puts it to flight. Fugitives seek Bethdagon in Azotus. Jonathan burns Azotus and nearby cities, takes spoils including the temple’s, and burns those sheltered there. Nearly eight thousand are slain by sword or fire. Ascalon honors him; he returns to Jerusalem with spoils. Alexander adds honors, sends a gold buckle customarily given to royal blood and grants Accaron and its borders in possession; hereditary tenure is not stated.