The religious war properly so called had already been brought once for all to an end by the convention of Lysias.  If the struggle continued to be carried on, it was not for the faith but for the supremacy,—­less in the interests of the community than in those of the Hasmonaeans.  After the death of Judas the secular character which the conflict had assumed ever since 162 continually became more conspicuous.  Jonathan Apphus fought for his house, and in doing so used thoroughly worldly means.  The high-priesthood, i.e., the ethnarchy, was the goal of his ambition.  So long as Alcimus lived, it was far from his reach.  Confined to the rocky fastnesses beside the Dead Sea, he had nothing for it but, surrounded by his faithful followers, to wait for better times.  But on the death of Alcimus (159) the Syrians refrained from appointing a successor, to obviate the necessity of always having to protect him with military force.  During the interregnum of seven years which followed, Jonathan again came more and more to the front, so that at last Bacchides concluded an armistice with him on the basis of the status quo (1Maccabees ix. 13).  From his residence at Michmash Jonathan now exercised a de facto authority over the entire nation.

When accordingly Alexander Balas, a reputed son of Antiochus IV., rose against Demetrius, both rivals exerted themselves to secure the alliance of Jonathan, who did not fail to benefit by their competition.  First of all, Demetrius formally recognised him as prince of Judah; in consequence of this he removed to Jerusalem, and expelled the heathen and heathenishly disposed, who continued to maintain a footing only in Acra and Bethsur.  Next Alexander Balas conferred on him the title of “high priest of the nation and friend of the king;” in gratitude for which Jonathan went over to his side (152).  He remained loya], although Demetrius now made larger offers; he was justified by the event, for Demetrius I. had the worst of it and was slain (150).  The victorious Balas heaped honours upon Jonathan, who maintained his fidelity, and fought successfully in his interests when in I47 Demetrius II., the son of Demetrius I., challenged a conflict.  The high priest was unable indeed to prevent the downfall of Alexander in 145; but Demetrius II., won by presents, far from showing any hostility, confirmed him in his position in consideration of a tribute of 300 talents.

Jonathan was grateful to the king, as he showed by going with 3000 men to his aid against the insurgent Antiochenes.  But when the latter drew back from his promise to withdraw the garrison from Acra, he went over to the side of Trypho, who had set up a son of Alexander Balas (Antiochus) as a rival.  In the war which he now waged as Seleucid-strategus against Demetrius he succeeded in subduing almost the whole of Palestine.  Meanwhile his brother Simon remained behind in Judaea, mastered the fortress of Bethsur, and resumed with great energy the siege of Acra.  All this was done in the names of Antiochus and Trypho, but really of course in the interests of the Jews themselves.  There were concluded also treaties with the Romans and Lacedaemonians, certainly not to the advantage of the Syrians.