Chapter XXXIX: Preface (11)

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.")

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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,--

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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
[End illustration]

{455}

"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.

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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.
[End illustration]

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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.

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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.

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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.
[End illustration]

{463}

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 {454} 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.

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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."
[End illustration]

{467}

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:--

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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.
[End illustration]

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"_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.

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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.
[End illustration]

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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.

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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,--

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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."
[End illustration]

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"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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.
[End illustration]

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NOTES

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NOTES

TALES OF THE FAR-OFF DAYS.

_Shinar_. A part of the great plain of Babylon (the Babel of the story). On this plain great towers of bricks, once temples of the gods, are found. This story seems to be told about one of these great towers.

RUTH.

_Moab_ lies across the Dead Sea from Judah. One can see its hills from the heights about Bethlehem, and to this day grain is brought across from its fields and sold in Jerusalem.

_Kinsman_. In the East the duty of caring for the family was very sacredly held. If a person was injured, he must be avenged by his kinsman. If he became poor, his kinsman must aid him. If he was obliged to sell land, his kinsman should buy it if he could, so that it need not go out of the family. According to one set of Hebrew laws, should a married man die without children, it was the duty of a kinsman to marry his widow, as Boaz did Ruth.

DEBORAH.

All the story of Deborah falls in the northern part of Israel. Zebulon and Naphtali were in the Northern hills, which in the New Testament time were called Galilee, where Jesus lived. The river Kishon flowed through a plain just to the south of the hills, in the {488} territory of Asher. Dan and Asher also lay in the Northern hills, and Issachar south of Naphtali and Zebulon. Gilead and Machir were across the Jordan from Issachar. The people in the south of Palestine were not concerned in this war. It brought out the heroism of a few of the people of Israel, but the rest were either too cowardly or too far away to take part in it.

_Shamgar_. One of the judges preceding Deborah.

ESTHER.

_Ahasuerus_, the king who is called Xerxes in Greek, and who invaded Greece. The heroic little nation of the Greeks conquered his great army, and he went back to his huge empire of Persia with no gain or glory. He was luxurious and selfish. The picture of him in this story is like that given everywhere else. He was only great because he ruled a great kingdom, and he was not noble in any way.

_Shushan_, the capital of ancient Persia, then the center of the power and commerce of the world, as the capital of the greatest nation always was. During the Bible times the great empires were Babylon, Assyria, then Babylon again, Persia, Greece, Rome. During much of the time the second great power of the world was Egypt.

_Tebeth_, a month corresponding to parts of December and January. The Jewish year began in the early spring, and Tebeth was the tenth month.

_Purim_, a feast kept before the New Testament time. Later, when the Jews were hated and shamefully abused by Christians, Purim was a favorite feast, because it gave great opportunity for the Jews to express their contempt for their oppressors. It was always a noisy and joyful feast. The book of Esther was read in the synagogues, and whenever the name of Haman was pronounced in the reading, the boys rapped on the floors and benches, making a great noise. It came, as the story of Esther tells, in the middle of Adar, which is in February and March.

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JUDITH.

_Apocrypha_. The name given to a collection of books of various kinds, long used as a part of the Old Testament, and still so regarded by the Catholic church. They were not held to be sacred by the Jews, but were by the early church. They contain histories, tales, books of wisdom and good advice. Some of the histories, like that of the Maccabees in this volume, are excellent and keep close to truth, but some of the tales, while stories of great interest, do not pretend to be exact statements of fact. Such is this story of Judith. All of them, however, are written to show some character of heroism or goodness. This story of Judith is a stirring tale of bravery. Bravery is something that men and women, boys and girls, all need to learn.

_Holofernes_, called a general of Nebuchadnezzar in the story. A king named Orophernes was the friend of a later king who was an enemy of the Jews. This may be the origin of the name.

_Asher_, a tribe of Israel living in Northern Palestine.

_Dotaea_, the Dothan of the Old Testament.

_Geba_, a common name of towns in Palestine. It means "hill." This Geba was about three miles north of Samaria.

_Scythopolis_. The Bethshan of the Old Testament, about three miles from the river Jordan.

_Bethulia_. A town near Dothan, the site not known. It may be that, in an original form of the story, some other place was named, possibly Samaria or Jerusalem.

_Children of Esau_. Edomites, who were long at sharp enmity with the Jews.

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STORIES OF ELIJAH AND ELISHA.

_Cherith_, thought by some to be the Wady Kelt, one of the deep narrow valleys between Jerusalem and the Jordan, where the land is uninhabited, all a mass of rock and steep mountain and desert.

_Zarephath_, a village on a promontory by the shore, about eight miles south of Zidon.

_Zidon_. One of the great cities of commerce in the ancient world. It traded with Egypt, Greece, Carthage, and even distant Spain. It is still a town of some importance, with ruins of the ancient walls and towers about the harbor.

_Baal and Asherah_. Symbols of the Canaanite and Phoenician gods. The people had worshiped the Canaanite gods, or Baals, ever since they came to Palestine, and the prophets had tried to get them to worship only Jehovah, but without entire success. In the time of Elijah the wicked Jezebel was queen. She had come from Phoenicia, the land of Tyre and Zidon, and did all she could to increase the Baal worship. How Elijah fought against it is told in one of these stories.

_Jezreel_. A beautiful town northeast of Samaria, for a time a royal residence.

_Samaria_. The capital of Northern Israel during the latter part of its history. It was situated on a hill at the head of a beautiful valley, and was an important town for a long time.

_Gilgal_. The name of several places in Palestine. This Gilgal seems to have been not far from Bethel.

_Shunem_. A village not far from Jezreel, near Mount Tabor.

_Mount Carmel_. The only mountain that runs out to the Mediterranean in the land of Israel. From its top one can look in all directions over the land and the sea, for it stands with the sea on the west and a great plain on all other sides.

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BETHLEHEM.

This picture shows the outer walls of the famous Church of the Nativity.
[End illustration]

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_Syria_ was for a time a kingdom stronger than Israel. Its capital was at the famous old city of Damascus.

_Abana and Pharpar_ are rivers which flow from the mountains past Damascus, giving it water and fertility in the midst of a plain that is almost a desert. So the people of Damascus are very proud of their rivers.

_Rimmon_. The god that Naaman's king worshiped, and to whom Naaman had to bow down when he attended the king in the temple.

TALES OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE.

JONAH.

_Nineveh_. The greatest, most hated city in the ancient world. It was the center of more barbaric cruelty in both war and peace than any other place. This story shows that God cares even for the people of a wicked place like Nineveh.

_Tarshish_. Probably in Spain.

SAMSON.