Books Jesus Read

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Books Jesus Read

Meanwhile, Jonathan assembled his Judean forces. At this time, he built siege engines and prepared an attack on the Akra to free it once more from Gentile occupation. When the apostates of Israel learned about the imminent attack, they made their way to Demetrius II to inform him. Demetrius II, angered by the news, went to Ptolemais where he summoned Jonathan to meet him and commanded him to stop the siege. Jonathan, however, directed the siege to continue, while he took some priests and elders with him to meet Demetrius II in Ptolemais, thus putting himself in danger. Jonathan took gold, silver, and fine clothing with him as gifts for the king, winning favor in his eyes. Despite continual complaints raised against him by certain rebels in Israel, the king exalted Jonathan’s position as all the kings before him had done. Once more, Jonathan was officially recognized as a friend of Demetrius II and as high priest in Jerusalem. Jonathan requested that Judea and the three districts of Samaria be exempted from tribute. He promised the king three hundred talents in return. Demetrius agreed in writing, as follows: “King Demetrius II to his brother Jonathan and the nation of the Jews, greetings. I am sending you a copy of my letter to our kinsman, Lasthenes, to whom I have written concerning you as follows: ‘King Demetrius II to his father, Lasthenes, greetings. We have decided to treat well the Jewish nation, our loyal friends, because of their good will toward us. Therefore, we affirm that Judea, including the three districts of Aphairema, Lydda, and Rathamin, is theirs, in addition to their borderland of Samaria. All these people, as well as those who travel to Jerusalem for sacrifice, are hereby exempt from tithes on the land and fruit trees. With