34
and stationed a detachment of soldiers there because he had heard that the people were planning to hand over the fortress of Joppa to the soldiers of Demetrius.
35
When Jonathan returned, he called the council of the leaders together and made plans with them to build fortresses in Judea,
36
to increase the height of the walls of Jerusalem, and to build a high wall to separate the fort from the city. This would isolate the fort, making it impossible for the enemy to buy or sell anything.
37
The people worked together to strengthen the city's defenses because a part of the east wall along the Kidron Valley had collapsed and the Chaphenatha section was in need of repair.
38
Simon also rebuilt the town of Adida in the foothills. He fortified it and constructed barred gates for it.
39
Then Trypho plotted a rebellion against King Antiochus so that he could make himself king of Syria.
40
He was afraid, however, that Jonathan would not agree to this and would go to war against him to prevent it. So Trypho got his army ready and went to Beth Shan in the hope of capturing Jonathan and putting him to death.
41
But Jonathan also came to Beth Shan with 40,000 well-trained soldiers.
42
When Trypho saw how large an army Jonathan had brought with him, he was afraid to take action.
43
So he received Jonathan with all honors, presented him to all his advisers, gave him gifts, and ordered his advisers and soldiers to obey Jonathan as they would him.
44
He asked Jonathan, "Why have you put these soldiers to so much trouble when we are not at war?
45
Why don't you send them home? Choose a few men to stay with you, and then accompany me to Ptolemais. I will hand the city over to you, as well as the rest of the fortresses, the troops, and all the officials. Then I will turn around and leave. In fact, that's why I am here."
46
Jonathan believed him, and following his advice, sent his soldiers back to Judea.
47
He took 3,000 men with him, but left 2,000 of them in Galilee, while only 1,000 accompanied him the rest of the way.
48
But when Jonathan entered Ptolemais, the people of the city locked the gates, arrested him, and killed everyone who had come with him.
49
Trypho sent infantry and cavalry units to Galilee and Jezreel Valley to kill the rest of Jonathan's soldiers.
50
The Jewish troops thought that Jonathan had been captured and killed, along with all those who had accompanied him, so they encouraged one another and marched out in battle formation.
51
When the approaching enemy forces saw that the Jews were ready to fight for their lives, they turned back.
52
Then the Jewish soldiers returned to Judea safely, but terribly afraid. The whole nation was in deep mourning, assuming that Jonathan and all his men had been killed.
53
All the surrounding nations now tried to destroy them. They thought that the Jews had no leaders or allies and that the time was ripe to annihilate them and put an end to their history.