77
When Apollonius heard thereof, he took three thousand horsemen with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as though he would pass through it, and thereupon drew forth into the plain, because he had a great number of horsemen in whom he put his trust.
78
Then Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, where the armies joined battle.
79
Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.
80
And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, for they had compassed in his host and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.
81
But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them; and so the enemies' horses were tired.
82
Then Simon brought forth his host and set them against the footmen (for the horsemen were spent), who were discomfited by him and fled.
83
The horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus and went into Beth-dagon, their idol's temple, for safety.
84
But Jonathan set fire to Azotus and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, with those who had fled into it, he burned with fire.
85
Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well nigh eight thousand men.
86
And from thence Jonathan removed his host and encamped against Askalon, where the men of the city came forth and met him with great pomp.
87
After this Jonathan returned with his host unto Jerusalem, having many spoils.