CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM
Alfred C. Barnes
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029308503
CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF ABOUT FORTY YEARS, VIZ. FROM 175 TO 135 BEFORE CHRIST.
WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, BY
HENRY COTTON, D.C.L.
ARCHDEACON OF CASHEL,
AND DECEASED STUDENT AT CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD
OXFORD, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. MDCCCXXXII.
TO
THE PROVOST, FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS, VAN TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, TO WHOSE VALUABLE LIBRARY I HAD THE MOST GENEROUS ACCESS, THE PRESENT PUBLICATION IS ENGRAVED, IN TESTIMONY OF RESPECT AND REGARD.
THE
SECOND BOOK
OF
MACCABEES:
CONTAINING
THE HISTORY OF ABOUT FORTY YEARS, VIZ. FROM 175 TO 135 BEFORE CHRIST
CHAPTER XI.
B.C.146
The death of Alexander, and of Ptolemy. The exploits of Jonathan.
And the king of Egypt a gathered together a great host, as the sand which is upon the seashore, and many ships, and sought, through deceit, to get Alexander’s kingdom, and join it to his own. Whereupon he took his journey into Syria in peaceable manner, so that they of the cities opened unto him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them to meet him, because he was his father-in-law. Now as Ptolemy entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it. And when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon which was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs there of which were destroyed, and the bodies which were cast abroad, and them which he had burnt in the battle; for they had
made heaps of them by the way where he should pass. Also, they told the king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the king held his peace. Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppe, where they saluted one another, and slept. Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus b, returned again to Jerusalem. King Ptolemy, therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea, unto Seleucia c upon the seacoast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander. Whereupon he sent ambassadors unto king Demetrius, saying; Come, let us make a league between us, and I will give thee my daughter, whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in thy father’s kingdom: for I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me. Thus, did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom. Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and was estranged from Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known.
Then Ptolemy entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt. In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those who dwelt in those parts had revolted from him. But when Alexander
heard of this, he came to war against him whereupon Ptolemy brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight. So, Alexander fled into Arabia, there to be sheltered; but king Ptolemy was exalted: for Zabdiel d the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it unto Ptolemy. King Ptolemy also diede the third day after, and they which were the strong holds were slain one of another. By this means Demetrius reigned f, in the hundred threescore and seventh year.
In those days Jonathan gathered together them which were in Judaea, to take the tower which was in Jerusalem: and he made engines of war against it. Then certain ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower. Whereof when he heard, he was angry; and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.
Nevertheless, Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel, and the priests, and put himself in peril; and taking silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, he went to
Ptolemais, unto the king, where he found favour in his sight. And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him, yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends; and confirmed to him the high-priesthood, and all the honours which he had before, and gave him pre-eminence among his chief friends. Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judaea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria g; and he promised him three hundred talents. So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things, after this manner: “King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting: The copy of a letter, which we wrote to our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, we have written also to you, that you may know it. King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes, sendeth greeting ” We are determined to do good to the people of ” the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good-will towards us. Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judaea, with the three governments of Apherema, and Lydda, and Ramathem, which are added unto Judaea from the country of Samaria i, and all things appertaining”
“Unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the royal dues which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth, and of trees. And as for other things which belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown-taxes k , which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief l. And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever. Now therefore, see that you make a copy of these things ; and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.”
After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, everyone to his own place, except the bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him. Moreover, there was one Tryphon m, who had been of Alexander’s part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue n the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus° the young son of Alexander. And earnestly entreated him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father’s stead: he told him therefore all which
Demetrius had done, and how his forces were at enmity with him; and there he remained a long season. In the meantime Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they continually fought against Israel. And Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve. Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me. Upon this, Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming. Howbeit, they which were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king. Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city and began to fight. Then the king called to the Jews for help; who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city, slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand. Also, they set fire on the city, and took many spoils that day, and delivered the king. So, when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was abated; wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying, Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city. With that they cast away their weapons and made peace: and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all who were in his realm, and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils. So, king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him. Nevertheless, he dissembled in all whichever he spoke, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the beneiits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.
After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned and was crowned. Then there gathered unto him all the forces which Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled. Moreover, Tryphon took the elephants and won Antioch. At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm to thee the high-priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments p, and to be one of the king’s friends. Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served q in; and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle. His brother Simon also he made captain from the place, called the ladder r of Tyrus, unto the borders of Egypt. Then Jona than went forth, and passed over the river, and through the cities there; and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him to help him and when he came to Ascalon, they of the city
met him honourably. From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them. Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through the country unto Damascus. Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes had come to Cades which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the countrys; —He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country. Then Simon encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it a long season, and shut it up. But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence, and took the city and set a garrison in it. As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar t, from whence betimes in the morning they got them to the plain of Nasor. And behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain; who having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him. So, when they which lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle, all who were of Jonathan’s side fled; insomuch that there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the host. Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed. Afterwards
turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away. Now when his own men who had fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped. So, there were slain of the heathen that day, about three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.
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