25
Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.
26
And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem to take it; the sanctuary also and Beth-zur have they fortified.
27
Therefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do greater things than these; neither shalt thou be able to rule them."
28
Now when the king heard this he was angry, and gathered together all his friends and the captains of his army and those who had charge of the horsemen.
29
There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers,
30
so that the number of his army was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.
31
These went through Idumea, and pitched camp against Beth-zur, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but those of Beth-zur came out and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
32
Upon this, Judas removed from the tower, and pitched camp in Beth-zechariah, opposite the king's camp.
33
Then the king, rising very early, marched fiercely with his host toward Beth-zechariah, where his armies made ready for battle and sounded the trumpets.
34
And to the end that they might provoke the elephants to fight, they showed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.
35
Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail and with helmets of brass on their heads; and besides this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.