69
And Demetrius appointed Apollonius the governor of Coelesyria, and he assembled a large force and encamped against Jamnia. Then he sent the following message to Jonathan the high priest:
70
"You are the only one to rise up against us, and I have become a laughingstock and reproach because of you. Why do you assume authority against us in the hill country?
71
If you now have confidence in your forces, come down to the plain to meet us, and let us match strength with each other there, for I have with me the power of the cities.
72
Ask and learn who I am and who the others are that are helping us. Men will tell you that you cannot stand before us, for your fathers were twice put to flight in their own land.
73
And now you will not be able to withstand my cavalry and such an army in the plain, where there is no stone or pebble, or place to flee."
74
When Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, his spirit was aroused. He chose ten thousand men and set out from Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him.
75
He encamped before Joppa, but the men of the city closed its gates, for Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa.
76
So they fought against it, and the men of the city became afraid and opened the gates, and Jonathan gained possession of Joppa.
77
When Apollonius heard of it, he mustered three thousand cavalry and a large army, and went to Azotus as though he were going farther. At the same time he advanced into the plain, for he had a large troop of cavalry and put confidence in it.
78
Jonathan pursued him to Azotus, and the armies engaged in battle.
79
Now Apollonius had secretly left a thousand cavalry behind them.