11
Now Ptolemy son of Abubus had been appointed governor over the plain of Jericho; he had a large store of silver and gold,
12
for he was son-in-law of the high priest.
13
His heart was lifted up; he determined to get control of the country, and made treacherous plans against Simon and his sons, to do away with them.
14
Now Simon was visiting the towns of the country and attending to their needs, and he went down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas, in the one hundred seventy-seventh year, in the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat.
15
The son of Abubus received them treacherously in the little stronghold called Dok, which he had built; he gave them a great banquet, and hid men there.
16
When Simon and his sons were drunk, Ptolemy and his men rose up, took their weapons, rushed in against Simon in the banquet hall and killed him and his two sons, as well as some of his servants.
17
So he committed an act of great treachery and returned evil for good.
18
Then Ptolemy wrote a report about these things and sent it to the king, asking him to send troops to aid him and to turn over to him the towns and the country.
19
He sent other troops to Gazara to do away with John; he sent letters to the captains asking them to come to him so that he might give them silver and gold and gifts;
20
and he sent other troops to take possession of Jerusalem and the temple hill.
21
But someone ran ahead and reported to John at Gazara that his father and brothers had perished, and that "he has sent men to kill you also."