What does Simon do after Jonathan’s capture?

Simon hears that Tryphon is gathering an army to invade and destroy Juda. He assembles the frightened people in Jerusalem and recalls his family’s battles for the laws and sanctuary. He speaks of his brothers’ lost lives and says he will not spare his own in trouble, promising to avenge nation, sanctuary, wives and children against the hostile heathens. The people respond by choosing him in Judas’s and Jonathan’s place and promising obedience. The speech’s language about his brothers is kept distinct from Jonathan’s still-living captivity narrated next. Simon gathers the men of war, finishes Jerusalem’s walls and fortifies it. Jonathan son of Absalom goes with a new army to Joppe, expels its inhabitants and remains there.

Tryphon advances from Ptolemais with captive Jonathan. Simon camps at Addus opposite the plain. Tryphon claims Jonathan owes royal money and asks a hundred silver talents and his two sons as hostages, promising release against future revolt. Simon knows the message is deceitful but sends money and children lest the people blame his refusal for Jonathan’s loss. The text gives this concern without inventing accusations of ambition or parsimony. Tryphon does not release Jonathan. Moving by Ador to destroy the country, he is opposed wherever he marches by Simon’s army, as the edition’s note explains. Jerusalem’s castle asks him to bring supplies through the desert. He prepares cavalry for that night, but very great snow prevents his entering Galaad. Near Bascama he kills Jonathan and his sons, then returns home. No blizzard conditions, hillside grave or burial act by Tryphon are supplied.

Simon retrieves Jonathan’s bones and buries them at Modin amid Israel’s mourning. Over his father’s and brothers’ sepulchre he builds a lofty structure of polished stone, with seven pyramids facing one another for his father, mother and four brothers. Pillars carry arms as perpetual memory and carved ships visible to sea travelers. The source supplies neither white stone nor the dimensions of the monument. Tryphon kills young Antiochus treacherously during a journey, takes Asia’s crown and brings evils on the land; a surgical pretext is absent.

Simon fortifies Judean strongholds with towers, walls, gates and bars and provisions them. He asks Demetrius for immunity because Tryphon seeks spoil. The king’s answer addresses Simon as high priest and friend of kings and acknowledges the golden crown and palm sent him. It offers firm peace, instructs officers to release previously remitted things, upholds prior decrees and ownership of their strongholds, forgives past faults and the owed crown, and ends taxation of anything still taxed in Jerusalem. Fit men may enroll with the royal forces. These stated provisions are retained without an added constitutional claim that every form of imperial oversight is abolished. In year 170 the account says the Gentile yoke is removed. Israel begins dating instruments and public records from Simon’s first year as high priest, great captain and prince.

Simon besieges Gaza with engines and takes a tower. Men leap from an engine into the city, creating uproar. Inhabitants stand on the walls with wives, children and torn garments, asking peace and mercy instead of treatment according to their deeds. Moved, Simon spares them but expels them, cleanses houses containing idols and enters with hymns. He settles law observers, fortifies the city and makes it his habitation. Jerusalem’s castle is barred from movement and trade, producing hunger and many famine deaths. Its people ask peace; Simon grants it, removes them and cleanses the castle. On day 23 of month two in year 171, entry is celebrated with thanksgiving, palms, harps, cymbals, psalteries, hymns and canticles. Simon establishes yearly glad observance, fortifies the temple mountain near the castle and dwells there with his companions. He appoints his son John, a valiant warrior, captain of all forces; John dwells in Gazara. The chapter gives no surname or thirty-year occupation total.