24
In those days a very great famine occurred, and the country went over to their side.
25
Bacchides chose the godless and put them in charge of the country.
26
They made inquiry and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, who took vengeance on them and made sport of them.
27
So there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them.
28
Then all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan,
29
"Since the death of your brother Judas there has been no one like him to go against our enemies and Bacchides, and to deal with those of our nation who hate us.
30
Now therefore we have chosen you today to take his place as our ruler and leader, to fight our battle."
31
So Jonathan accepted the leadership at that time in place of his brother Judas.
32
When Bacchides learned of this, he tried to kill him.
33
But Jonathan and his brother Simon and all who were with him heard of it, and they fled into the wilderness of Tekoa and camped by the water of the pool of Asphar.
34
Bacchides found this out on the sabbath day, and he with all his army crossed the Jordan.