CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM
Alfred C. Barnes
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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 IX.
B.C.161
The death of Judas. Also, of John. Jonathan is made captain. The death of Alcimus.
Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he proceeded to send Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judah the second time, and with them the chief strength a of his host: who went forth by the way which leadeth to Galgala b, and pitched their tents before Maseloth, which is in Arbela c, and they won it, and slew much people. Also, in the first month of the hundred fifty and second year, they encamped before Jerusalem. From whence they removed and went to Beraea d, with twenty thousand foot-men, and two thousand horsemen.
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Eleasa e and three thousand chosen men with him: who seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, insomuch that there abode of them no more than eight hundred men. When Judas therefore saw that his host slip away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, for that he had no
time to gather them together. And he was distressed: but nevertheless, unto them which remained, he said. Let us rise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them. But they dehorted him, saying. We shall never be able: let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren, and fight against them: for we are but few. Then Judas said, God forbid, that I should do this thing, and flee away from them: if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not leave behind a stain upon our honour. With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host, and they which marched in the fore-ward were all mighty men. And Bacchides was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts and sounded their trumpets. They also of Judas’s side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle was joined from morning till night. And Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right-side and all who were hardy in heart went with him: and the right wing was discomfited by them, and they pursued after them unto the mount Azotus. But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed upon Judas and those who were with him, hard at the heels from behind: where upon there was a sore battle, insomuch that many were slain on both parts. Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled. Then Jonathan and Simon 19 took Judas their brother and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin. Moreover, they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying, ” How is the valiant man fallen, who “delivered Israel!” As for the other thingsf concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they are not written for they were very many.
Now after the death of Judas, the wicked began to lift up their heads in all the coasts of Israel, and there rose up all such as wrought iniquity. In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them. Then Bacchides chose the wicked men and made them lords of the country. And they made inquiry and search for Judas’s friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance on them, and used them despitefully g. So, there was a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet h was not seen amongst them.
For this cause all Judas’s friends came together, and said unto Jonathan, since thy brother Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies and Bacchides, and against them of our nation, which are adversaries to us. Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest
fight our battles. Upon this, Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time and rose up instead of his brother Judas. But when Bacchides got knowledge thereof, he sought to slay him. Then Jonathan and Simon his brother, and all who were with him, perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Thecoe i, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar. Which when Bacchides understood, he came over Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath-day.
Now Jonathan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabataeans k, that they might leave with them their baggage, which was much. But the children of Jambri came out of Madaba, and took John l and all which he had, and went their way with it.
After this came word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri were making a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan. Therefore, they remembered John their brother and went up and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain. Where they lifted their eyes and looked, and behold, there was much ado, and great baggage: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums and instruments of music, and many weapons. Then Jonathan and they which were with him, rose up against them from the place where
they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, that many m fell down dead, and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils. Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into la- mentation. So, when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Jordan. Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the sabbath-day unto the banks of Jordan with a great power. Then Jonathan said to his company, let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us to-day, as it was yesterday and the day before: for, behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Jordan on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood, neither is there place for us to turn aside. Wherefore cry ye now unto heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. With that they joined battle; and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him. Then Jonathan and they which were with him leapt into Jordan, and swam over unto the farther bank: howbeit, the other passed not over Jordan unto them. So, there were slain of Bacchides’ side that day about a thousand men. Afterward returned Bacchides to Jerusalem, and repaired the strong cities in Judaea, the fort in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Beth-horon, and Beth-el, and Thamnatha Pharathoni, and Taphon, with high walls, with gates, and with
bars. And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice ° upon Israel. He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazzara, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals.
Besides, he took the chief men’s sons in the country for hostages and put them into the tower at Jerusalem to be kept. Moreover, in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alciraus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down p; he pulled down also the works of the prophets. And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprises hindered : for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no longer speak anything, nor give order concerning his house. So Alcimus died at that time with great torment. Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king, whereupon the land of Judah was in rest two years. Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying. Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them all in one night. So, they went and consulted with him. Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judaea, that they should take Jonathan and those who were with him: howbeit,
they could not, because their counsel was made known unto them. Wherefore they took of the men of the country who were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them. Afterward Jonathan and Simon, and they which were with him, got them away to Bethbasi: which is in the wilderness, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong. Which thing when 63 Bacchides knew, he gathered all his host, and sent word to them which were of Judaea. Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war. But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country, and with a certain number went he forth. And he smote Odonarces r and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent. And when he began to smite them, and to advance with his forces, Simon and his company went out of the city, and burnt up the engines of war, and fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore: for his counsel and travail was in vain. Wherefore, he was very wroth at the wicked men who gave him counsel to come into the country, in so much that he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country. Whereof when Jona had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make peace with him, and deliver them the prisoners. Which thing he
accepted, and did according to his demands, and swore unto him, that he would never devise evil against him all the days of his life. When therefore he had restored unto him the prisoners whom he had taken a foretime out of the land of Judah, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came hes any more into their borders. Thus, the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt at Machmas t and began to govern the people; and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel.
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