and sedition. Demetrius therefore required Jonathan to send him a body of soldiers, to assist him against them: promising to comply with all his demands, in return for this favour. But when by their assistance he had brought under the revolters, he broke all his conditions with Jonathan, and even went so far as to demand the tribute; in lieu of which three hundred talents had been paid to him. It was at this juncture that Tryphon claimed the kingdom for Antiochus; and he was not long in obtaining it: for such numbers flocked to his standard, that he was soon in a condition to take the field against Demetrius. In a battle which ensued, the latter was defeated; and Tryphon marching to Antioch, took the city, and placed Antiochus on the throne. When this was done, Tryphon sent an embassy in the young king's name, to Jonathan, confirming all the privileges Demetrius had rescinded, and adding others to them. He also constituted Simon commander of the king's forces, from the Ladder of Tyre, to the confines of Egypt, on condition that the brothers would declare for him. Jonathan had too just cause of complaint against Demetrius to refuse these overtures; and having complied with what was required, a commission was sent him to raise forces in the king's name. When he had collected a considerable army, he marched into the southern part of Judea, where Ascalon submitted to him; and Gaza, after a brief siege, was forced to surrender. After this he marched northward as far as Damascus, in order to secure all the cities in ColoSyria for Antiochus. While Jonathan was thus engaged, the forces of Demetrius in those parts assembled to invade Galilee, probably intending to gain a footing there, * A mountain near the sea; between Tyre and Ptolemais. and intercept him on his return. But Jonathan marched against them, and was finally victorious: though on his first coming thither, he fell into an ambush, and was deserted by most of his men, who fled in terror. A few of the most valiant, however, making a resolute stand, gave the rest time to rally; and the enemies were put to flight, with the loss of three thousand men. Simon in the meantime was not idle: he laid siege to Bethsura and succeeded in taking it, and driving out the garrison, which had been so vexatious to the neighbourhood, during sixteen years. On Jonathan's return to Judea he dispatched ambassadors to Rome, to renew the alliance which Judas had made with that nation. They were honourably received by the senate, who granted all they desired; and dismissed them with letters of safe conduct to the Roman governors through whose provinces they were to pass, in their way to Judea. These ambassadors were also commissioned to visit Lacedæmon, and to take a letter from Jonathan in answer to one formerly written by the king or people of that country to the Jews, with whom they claimed kindred; as being descended from Abraham. The letter alluded to was written to Onias the son of Simon the Just. But how the Lacedæmonians proved their descent from Abraham, is not known; as there are no writings now extant in which it can be traced. Jonathan in thus desiring foreign alliances fell into the same error as Judas had done: it must however be allowed that he did not ask assistance from them; for he declared that the Jews were helped from heaven: but the law of God forbad his people to make alliances with heathen nations on any account. And the word of God, by his prophet,* * Jeremiah xvii. 5, 7. pronounced a blessing on those who trust in the Lord, and make his power and goodness the sole ground of their hope. The Syrian captains whom Jonathan had defeated in Galilee, having obtained large reinforcements, came again towards that country. Jonathan, however, without loss of time, advanced to meet them as far as Hamath, where he encamped. Having learned that their intention was to surprise him in the night, he used such vigilance that they were not only frustrated, but so completely discouraged, that returning to their camp and making fires, as if for use, they withdrew privately; and before Jonathan was aware of their departure, escaped so far, that it was in vain to pursue them. While he was in the neighbourhood of CœloSyria, he again marched to Damascus to promote the interest of Antiochus, and suppress all who opposed it; and having done this, he returned to Judea. Simon in the meantime had been very successful against the Philistines, whom he had subdued at Ascalon and other places. He had also taken possession of Joppa, and secured it by a strong garrison. When the two brothers met at Jerusalem, they called a council to deliberate on the best means of repairing and fortifying the city; and it being determined that every thing needful should be done, the people were called to the work, of which Jonathan took the superintendence. things it was agreed that a wall or mount should be raised against the fortress of Acra, to cut off all communication between the garrison and the city. While these works were going on at Jerusalem, Simon went out into the country; and carried on similar operations in all places that required to be rebuilt or fortified; by which means all the land was rendered secure against Among other he sudden invasion of their enemies. By this time -Cryphon, having obtained the kingdom of Syria ostensibly in behalf of Antiochus, considered himself in a condition to seize it on his own account. But knowing from the character of Jonathan, that his consent would never be gained to so iniquitous a measure, he determined to get him into his power, and put him to death. With this view he marched towards Judea with a powerful army; but when he reached Bethsan, Jonathan met him at the head of forty thousand men. The crafty traitor afraid to encounter him openly, while under such a guard, sought to deceive him with offers of amity: telling him that he came expressly to put him in possession of Ptolemais. Jonathan too easily fell into the snare; for yielding to the persuasion of Tryphon he sent back all his forces except three thousand men. Two thousand of these he left in Galilee, and went with the remainder to Ptolemais, expecting to have the place given up to him. But Tryphon had no sooner got him within the walls, than, causing the gates to be shut, he made him his prisoner; and put his attendants to death. When this was done Tryphon sent out a force to attack the troops that had been sent to Galilee; but these being informed of what had passed, put themselves in such a menacing posture of defence, that the enemy durst not attack them, and they escaped in safety to Jerusalem. When the captivity of Jonathan was made known. it caused great lamentation among the Jews; and no less exultation to their heathen neighbours, who immediately leagued together for their destruction. Tryphon also assembled his forces for the same purpose; hoping to avail himself of the consternation which prevailed among the people for the loss of their leader. The Jews thus threatened on all sides, were greatly discouraged; but they were not forsaken of God. He still vouchsafed them a deliverer in the person of Simon, who, calling an assembly of the people, in the temple, offered to lead them forth in the glorious cause to which his father and brothers had devoted themselves; and in defence of which they had yielded their lives. The people, re-animated by this offer, answered with a voice of general acclamation, "Thou shalt be our leader instead of Jonathan thy brother. Fight thou our battles; and whatsoever thou commandest us, that will we do." Simon's first care was to complete the fortifications of Jerusalem, which Jonathan had begun; and to secure Joppa, by sending one of his captains with a strong detachment to that place. Tryphon, in the meantime, marching from Ptolemais, advanced towards Judea; but when Simon went forth with his army against him, he would not risk an engagement: knowing the prowess of the latter; and fearing the resolute valour of the Jews, which he had now inflamed by his treachery towards Jonathan. He therefore sent an artful message to Simon, telling him that Jonathan was detained on account of a hundred talents due from him to the king; but if that sum were paid, and two of his sons sent as hostages for his future good conduct, he should be set at liberty. Simon readily perceived the craft of his adversary; yet as he could not bear the imputation that would rest on him, in case of refusal, he complied with the demand. Tryphon however still retained Jonathan in his power; and only withdrew his forces at that time, that he might augment their number, and surprise some part of the country from which Simon was absent. With this intent he soon after entered Judea on the south, by the |