Under Alexander Balas Jonathan’s power rapidly increased.  He was made governor of Judea, and, under pretence of supporting the waning fortunes of Alexander, he captured in succession the Philistine cities of Joppa, Azotus (Ashdod), Ascalon, and Akron.  When Demetrius ii became master of Syria, Jonathan succeeded by rich gifts and diplomacy in so far gaining the support of the new king that part of the territory of Samaria was joined to Judea.  In return for three hundred talents they were also promised exemption from taxation.  Furthermore, membership in one of the royal orders was conferred upon the Maccabean leader.  Thus by good fortune and by often questionable diplomacy the Jews finally secured in the days of Jonathan that freedom for which they had fought and which they had partially won under the valiant Judas.

Section CXII.  PEACE AND PROSPERITY UNDER SIMON

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 11:38-40] And when King Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him and that no resistance was made to him, he sent all his forces, each one to his own home, except the foreign mercenaries, whom he had enlisted from the isles of the heathen.  All the troops, however, who had served his father hated him.  Now Tryphon was one of those who had formerly belonged to Alexander’s party, and when he saw that all the troops were murmuring against Demetrius, he went to Yamliku, the Arabian who was bringing up Antiochus, the young child of Alexander, and importuned him that he should deliver him to him, that he might reign in his father’s place.  And he told him all that Demetrius had done, and the hatred which his troops bore him.  And he stayed there a long time.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 11:54-56] Now after this Tryphon returned, and with him the young child Antiochus, and he assumed the sovereignty and put on the diadem.  And there were gathered to him all the forces which Demetrius had sent away in disgrace, and they fought against him, and he fled and was defeated.  And Tryphon took the elephants and became master of Antioch.

[Sidenote:  I Macc. 12:39-47] Then Tryphon tried to get the sovereignty over Asia and to put on the diadem and to engage in hostilities against Antiochus the king.  But he was afraid lest perhaps Jonathan might not allow him, and that he might fight against him.  So he sought a way to take him, that he might destroy him.  And he set out and came to Bethshan.  Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand picked soldiers and came to Bethshan.  And when Tryphon saw that he came with a great army, he was afraid to attack him, and he received him honorably and commended him to all his Friends and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient to him as to himself.  And he said to Jonathan, Why have you put all this people to trouble, since that there is no war between us?  Now therefore send them away to their homes, retaining for yourself only a