Revolt of Alexander Epiphanes
1 In the year 160, Alexander Epiphanes, Antiochus' son, landed and occupied Ptolemais. They welcomed him there, and he began to rule.
2
When King Demetrius heard about it, he assembled a very large army. He marched out to meet Alexander in battle.
3
Demetrius sent a friendly letter to Jonathan to honor him.
4
Demetrius thought to himself, We should make peace with Jonathan before he aligns with Alexander against us.
5
If we don't do so, he will recall all the wrongs that we did to him, his brothers, and his nation.
6
So Demetrius gave Jonathan authority to recruit troops, to arm them, and to become his ally. He ordered that the hostages in the elevated fortress be released to Jonathan.
7
Then Jonathan came to Jerusalem and read the letter in front of all the people and those inside the elevated fortress.
8
These people were very concerned when they heard that the king had given him authority to recruit troops.
9
The inhabitants in the elevated fortress released the hostages to Jonathan, and he returned them to their parents.
10
Jonathan took up residence in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and restore the city.
11
He directed the workers to build the walls and encircle Mount Zion with squared stones for better reinforcement, which they did.
12
Then from the fortress that Bacchides had built, the foreigners fled.
13
All of them left their places and returned to their own lands.
14
Only in Beth-zur did some Jews remain who had neglected the Law and the commandments, because Beth-zur was a place of refuge.