25
So he marched away from Jerusalem and met them in the region of Hamath, for he gave them no opportunity to invade his own country.
26
He sent spies to their camp, and they returned and reported to him that the enemy were being drawn up in formation to attack the Jews by night.
27
So when the sun had set, Jonathan commanded his troops to be alert and to keep their arms at hand so as to be ready all night for battle, and he stationed outposts around the camp.
28
When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his troops were prepared for battle, they were afraid and were terrified at heart; so they kindled fires in their camp and withdrew.
29
But Jonathan and his troops did not know it until morning, for they saw the fires burning.
30
Then Jonathan pursued them, but he did not overtake them, for they had crossed the Eleutherus river.
31
So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, and he crushed them and plundered them.
32
Then he broke camp and went to Damascus, and marched through all that region.
33
Simon also went out and marched through the country as far as Askalon and the neighboring strongholds. He turned aside to Joppa and took it by surprise,
34
for he had heard that they were ready to hand over the stronghold to those whom Demetrius had sent. And he stationed a garrison there to guard it.
35
When Jonathan returned he convened the elders of the people and planned with them to build strongholds in Judea,