[Sidenote:  I Macc. 9:23-27] Now after the death of Judas, the apostates showed themselves in all the territory of Israel, and all who practised injustice flourished.  About the same time there was a very severe famine, and the whole people sided with them.  Then Bacchides selected the godless men and made them rulers of the country.  And they conducted a thorough search for the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them and tortured them cruelly.  Then great tribulation came upon Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets had ceased to appear among them.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 9:28-35] Thereupon all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan, Since your brother Judas has died, we have no one like him to go out against our enemies and Bacchides and against those of our own kin who hate us.  Now therefore we have chosen you this day to be our prince and leader in his place that you may fight our battles.  So Jonathan assumed the leadership at that time and took the place of his brother Judas.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 10:1-6] Now in the one hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander the son of Antiochus Epiphanes went up and took possession of Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.  When King Demetrius heard of it, he gathered very large forces and went out to meet him in battle.  Demetrius also sent letters to Jonathan with words of peace, so as to honor him greatly.  For he said, Let us get the start in making peace with them before he makes a compact with Alexander against us.  For he will remember all the wrongs that we have done to him, and to his brothers and his nation.  And he gave him authority to collect forces and to provide arms and to be his ally.  Also he commanded that they should deliver up to him the hostages who were in the citadel.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 10:7-14] Then Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of those who were in the citadel.  And they were greatly afraid when they heard that the king had given him authority to collect an army.  And the garrison delivered up the hostages to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.  And Jonathan took up his residence in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and renew the city.  And he commanded those who did the work to build the walls and Mount Zion round about with square stones for defence; and they did so.  Then the foreigners, who were in the strongholds which Bacchides had built, fled, and each man left his place and went into his own land.  Only some of those who had forsaken the law and the commandments were left at Bethsura, because it was an asylum for them.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 10:15-17] And when King Alexander heard all the promises which Demetrius had made to Jonathan and had been told of the battles which he and his brothers had fought and the valiant deeds that they had done and of the hardships which they had endured, he said, Shall we find such another man?  Now therefore let us make him our friend and ally.  So he wrote letters and sent them to him with contents like these: