79
Now Apollonius had secretly left a thousand cavalry behind them.
80
Jonathan learned that there was an ambush behind him, for they surrounded his army and shot arrows at his men from early morning till late afternoon.
81
But his men stood fast, as Jonathan commanded, and the enemy's horses grew tired.
82
Then Simon brought forward his force and engaged the phalanx in battle (for the cavalry was exhausted); they were overwhelmed by him and fled,
83
and the cavalry was dispersed in the plain. They fled to Azotus and entered Beth-dagon, the temple of their idol, for safety.
84
But Jonathan burned Azotus and the surrounding towns and plundered them; and the temple of Dagon, and those who had taken refuge in it he burned with fire.
85
The number of those who fell by the sword, with those burned alive, came to eight thousand men.
86
Then Jonathan departed from there and encamped against Askalon, and the men of the city came out to meet him with great pomp.
87
And Jonathan and those with him returned to Jerusalem with much booty.
88
When Alexander the king heard of these things, he honored Jonathan still more;
89
and he sent to him a golden buckle, such as it is the custom to give to the kinsmen of kings. He also gave him Ekron and all its environs as his possession.