How do royal promises and Jonathan’s alliances change?

Ptolemee of Egypt gathers a great army and many ships to obtain Alexander’s kingdom by deceit. Cities open to his peaceful words because Alexander has ordered them to welcome his father-in-law. He stations garrisons in each. At Azotus, people show Dagon’s burned temple, destroyed suburbs, scattered bodies and roadside graves to make Jonathan odious, but Ptolemee remains silent. Jonathan meets him honorably at Joppe, lodges there and accompanies him to the Eleutherus before returning to Jerusalem. Ptolemee gains the coastal cities as far as Seleucia. He offers Demetrius an alliance, Alexander’s wife and his father’s kingdom, claiming Alexander sought his life. The account calls this slander prompted by coveting the kingdom. He transfers his daughter and enters Antioch wearing Egypt’s and Asia’s crowns.

Alexander is in Cilicia because of rebellion. On hearing the news, he fights Ptolemee, is defeated and flees to Arabia for protection. Zabdiel sends his severed head to Ptolemee. Three days afterward Ptolemee dies; no wounds or medical cause are stated. Those in the strongholds are destroyed by those within the camp. Demetrius reigns in year 167. Jonathan gathers Judea’s men and engines against Jerusalem’s castle. Accusers report the siege to Demetrius, who summons him urgently to Ptolemais and orders the siege stopped. Jonathan tells his men to continue, chooses elders and priests, and puts himself in danger by going with gold, silver, garments and other gifts. Despite complaints, the king favors him, confirms his priesthood and honors, and makes him chief friend.

Jonathan requests tribute relief for Judea, the three governments, Samaria and their borders, promising 300talents. Demetrius agrees and sends the text written to Lasthenes, called his parent. It ratifies Judea’s borders and the added cities Apherema, Lydda and Ramatha with their borders, setting them apart to Jerusalem’s sacrificers instead of yearly royal payments and land and tree produce. The edition notes Apherema occurs only in the Greek version. The letter also remits tithes, tributes, saltpans and crowns, declares the grants irrevocable and orders a visible copy on the holy mountain.

Finding the land quiet, Demetrius sends home his forces except the foreign army gathered from the islands. His fathers’ troops hate him; withheld wages are not reported. Tryphon, formerly of Alexander’s party, sees their discontent and repeatedly urges Emalchuel the Arabian to release Alexander’s son Antiochus, whom he has raised, to become king. Jonathan asks Demetrius to remove the castle and stronghold forces fighting Israel. Demetrius promises this and greater honor when opportunity permits, then asks for men because his army has left him. Jonathan sends 3000valiant men to Antioch. 120000city men assemble to kill the king, who flees to his palace while they hold the passages. At his call the Jews spread through the city; the source reports 100000killed, fire, spoils and the king’s deliverance. It gives no rooftop attack. The citizens ask for peace and throw down their arms. The Jews return with spoils and renown. Demetrius regains quiet rule but falsifies his promises, alienates himself from Jonathan and gives him trouble instead of reward.

Tryphon returns with the young Antiochus, crowned king. The discharged troops gather, defeat Demetrius and cause his flight. Tryphon takes the elephants and Antioch. Antiochus confirms Jonathan’s high priesthood, gives rule over four cities and royal friendship, sends gold vessels, and permits gold drinking vessels, purple and a golden buckle. Simon becomes governor from Tyre’s borders to Egypt’s confines. Jonathan passes through cities beyond the river, gathering Syrian help; Ascalon welcomes him. Gaza shuts its gates, so he besieges it, burns its suburbs and takes spoils. Its men seek agreement; he gives the right hand, takes sons as hostages to Jerusalem and travels as far as Damascus.

Hearing that Demetrius’s generals have come treacherously to Cades in Galilee to remove him from the kingdom’s affairs, Jonathan goes against them, leaving Simon in the country. Simon besieges Bethsura for many days, grants its request for peace, removes its inhabitants and installs a garrison. Jonathan camps by Genesar and is ready before daylight in Asor’s plain. Strangers meet him while an ambush waits in the mountains. When it attacks, his men flee except Mathathias son of Absalom and Judas son of Calphi, chief captain. Jonathan rends his clothes, puts earth on his head and prays, then turns back to battle and puts the enemy to flight. His fleeing men see this and return, pursuing to Cades and the enemy camp. Three thousand aliens fall that day; Jonathan returns to Jerusalem. The sequence does not establish a general guarantee that prayer or defiance wins battles.