27
Unless you act immediately, they will do even more, and you will not be able to stop them."
28
When the king heard this, he was furious. He brought together all the army commanders, the cavalry officers, and his most trusted advisers.
29
He also hired mercenary soldiers from other countries and from the Greek islands.
30
His forces numbered 100,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, and 32 elephants trained for war.
31
The king and his army passed through Idumea and laid siege to Bethzur, where they fought for a long time. They built battering rams and siege platforms, but the defenders fought bravely and came out of the town and burned down the platforms.
32
Then Judas withdrew his troops from the fort in Jerusalem and set up his camp at Beth Zechariah, blocking the advance of the king's army.
33
Early the next morning, the king rapidly moved his army along the road to Beth Zechariah, where his troops took up battle positions and blew trumpets.
34
They got the elephants ready for battle by showing them grape juice and mulberry juice.
35
The huge animals were distributed among the infantry units. A thousand men, protected by chain armor and bronze helmets, were stationed with each elephant. Each animal was also accompanied by a special force of 500 cavalry,
36
which always remained with the elephant.
37
A strong, protected wooden platform was securely fastened by a special harness to the back of each elephant. Three soldiers rode on each animal, in addition to the elephant driver.