1 Machabees

16 chapters

Chapter summaries

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1. 1King Alexander conquering many countries, erecteth a new Monarchy. 6. who dying, his chief followers succeed in several kingdoms of the same Monarchy. 11. King Antiochus approveth that a profane school be set up in Jerusalem, 17. subdueth Egypt; 21. invadeth Judea; entreth by force into Jerusalem; spoileth the temple, 25. and killeth many. 30. Two years after sendeth another spoiler; who killing many, robbeth and burneth Jerusalem: 35. fortifieth the tower of David; 38. profaneth all holy things: 41. commandeth all to commit idolatry; 47. and to forsake the rites of God's law, 52. upon pain of death. 57. He setteth up an abominable idol in the Temple, 60. persecuteth, and murdereth those that conform not themselves to these innovations.
2. 2Mathathias with his five sons, lamenteth the calamities of the people, 8. and profanation of holy things, 15. resisteth the king's wicked decrees, 23. killeth an idolater, and the king's commissioner, so flyeth into the mountains with others. 31. Many are slain not resisting in battle on the sabbath days. 40. Upon further consideration the rest defend themselves in the sabbath; 45. kill their enemies, and destroy idolatry. 49. Mathathias dying exhorteth his sons to be zealous in the law: 65. appointing Simon their counsellor, and Judas their captain.
3. 3Judas Machabeus punisheth the wicked: 10. killeth Apollonius in battle. 13. Seron braggeth, but is also overthrown. 25. Antiochus furiously incensed, 19. gathereth money in Persis, 31. leaving Lysias viceroy; 38. who sending a great army against the Israelites, 42. Judas and his brethren commending the cause to God, by prayer and penance, 54. resolve to fight against their enemies.
4. 4Gorgias with six thousand soldiers well appointed, intending suddenly to destroy the Israelites army of three thousand not well armed, 8. is defeated; half of his men slain, the rest running away. 16. Judas staying his men from spoiling, till the enemies were out of sight, then they take rich preys, and render thanks to God. 28. The next year, Lysias with three score thousand foot, and six thousand horsemen invading Jewry, Judas with ten thousand (making his prayer to God) killeth five thousand: 35. the rest flying, Lysias gathereth more soldiers. 36. Judas with his brethren, and others cleanse the temple, and renew holy things. 55. Offer Sacrifice, 58. and institute a feast of the dedication of a new Altar.
5. 5Judas and his brethren expugn their bordering enemies, 9: deliver them that were distressed. 17. Simon prospereth in Galilee, 24. Judas in Galaad, 45. taketh Ephron, and all return safe into Jerusalem. 55. Josephus and Azarias attempting ambitiously without order to fight against their enemies, are defeated. 63. And Judas hath more victories.
6. 6Antiochus repulsed from Elymais, 5. and hearing of the overthrow of his army in Jewry, falleth vehemently sick: 11. and acknowledging his calamities to have happened, for the evils he hath done against the Jews, dieth. 17. His young son Antiochus Eupator succeedeth. 18. Judas besiegeth the Macedonians' fortress. 21. Relapsed Jews solicit the king, 28. and he cometh with a terrible huge army. 32. Judas therefore leaving the siege meeteth the enemy. 43. Eleazar going under an elephant killeth him and so himself is also slain. 47. The king taketh Bethsura by composition. 51. and bendeth his forces against Jerusalem. 55. By Lysias' advice the king maketh peace with the Jews; 62. but breaking his oath destroyeth the wall of Sion; 63. and returning recovereth Antioch from Philip.
7. 7Demetrius commandeth to kill Antiochus and Lysias being captives. 5. Alcimus and other wicked Jews solicit the king, 8. and he sendeth a great army into Jewry: appointeth Bacchides general, and Alcimus high-priest. 10. Who falsely pretending peace, Judas doth not credit them, but the Assidians are deceived: 16. and many are slain. 23. Judas resisting, the persecuters depart. 26. Whereupon Nicanor is sent with another army, fighteth, and loseth many men; 33. parteth in great rage, 39. assaulteth Bethoron, 42. is slain; and his army flying is all destroyed. 48. They celebrate that day with joy, and have peace for a while.
8. 8Judas knowing the Romans to be a most renowned nation, reciting their worthy acts, 17. sendeth ambassadors to enter league with them: 21. Whereto they agreeing confirm a perpetual amity with mutual conditions.
9. 9Bacchides and Alcimus returning into Jewry make great slaughter. 5. More than two parts of Judas' small troop flying away, he with eight hundred, setteth upon the enemy, 14. overthroweth the strongest part of their army: 16. but another part coming at his back, with great slaughter on both parties, Judas is slain: 19. and most honourably buried. 23. Much evil increaseth in Israel. 28. Jonathas is made captain general. 36. The children of Jambri kill his brother, which he revengeth. 43. Being environed by Bacchides he chaseth him away to his fenced places, killing many. 54. Alcimus beginning to deface the temple, is stricken with a palsy, and dieth miserably. 57. So they have peace two years. 58. Bacchides coming with a new army: 62. Jonathas and Simon retire into Bethbessen. 65. there defend themselves, and annoy the enemy. 69. who blaming his counsellors, maketh peace, and departeth.
10. 10Demetrius invaded by Alexander, 3. seeketh help of Jonathas: 15. but he joineth with Alexander, a surer friend: 22. though Demetrius solicit him again, offering rewards, with remission of tributes, 31. and great privileges, 46. All which he suspecting to be feigned, persisteth with Alexander: 48. who in battle killeth Demetrius: 52. espouseth the king's daughter of Egypt: 59. calleth Jonathas to the marriage: 62. and honoureth him as a king. 67. Demetrius (the son) coming into Syria, sendeth Apollonius against Jonathas: 70. provoketh him, 74. and is overthrown (79 notwithstanding his ambushment of a thousand horsemen) 83. Jonathas burneth Azotus, with their idol Dagon. 86. so returneth by Ascalon to Jerusalem with great glory.
11. 11Ptolemeus king of Egypt deceitfully coming into Syria, 8. surpriseth certain cities, and taking his daughter from Alexander giveth her to Demetrius. 15. Alexander flying away, 17. is treacherously slain. 18. Ptolemeus dieth the third day, and Demetrius reigneth. 20. Jonathas besiegeth the fortress which resisted him in Jerusalem. 24. obtaineth of Demetrius remission of tributes, and other privileges. 38. Demetrius dismissing his army, the soldiers conspire with Tryphon against him. 43. Jonathas aideth him with three thousand men, who kill an hundred thousand mutineers. 53. Demetrius breaking league with Jonathas, is overthrown by Tryphon. 57. Young Antiochus reneweth league with Jonathas: and he (65. as likewise his brother Simon) prospereth: 67. in great danger prayeth and prevaileth.
12. 12Jonathas confirmeth league with the Romans, and Spartiates, by letters: 19. with mention of letters received before. 24. By diligent guard he defendeth the country from the enemies' invasions, putting them to flight. 31. subdueth the Arabians, and returneth by Damascus. ( 33. Simon prospering in other places.) fortifieth Jerusalem, 39. Finally is deceived by Tryphon. 48. and all his men are slain.
13. 13Simon exhorteth the people to defend themselves, and religion: 7. is made general captain. 14. Tryphon demandeth an hundred talents of silver, and hostages for Jonathas. 17. which are sent (to satisfy the people) Tryphon receiveth the ransom, 23. killeth Jonathas, and his sons. 25. Simon erecteth a memory to his parents and brethren. 31. Tryphon murdereth his young king. 33. Simon fortifieth the country, obtaineth peace, and liberties of Demetrius: 42. subdueth the city Gaza, and the rebellious castle within Jerusalem.
14. 14Demetrius invading Media is taken captive: 4. and Jewry is in peace. 14. Simon cherisheth the godly, and punisheth the wicked: 16. receiveth friendly letters from the Romans, and Spartiates: 20. Whereof the copy is recited: 24. sendeth a legate to Rome with a present. 25. And is established high priest, and governor by public consent.
15. 15Antiochus by his letters granteth great privileges to Simon: 10. pursueth Tryphon, and environeth him. 15. The Romans commend the Jews to other nations 25. Antiochus refusing aid sent by Simon, breaketh league, 30. and exacteth certain cities, and tribute. 37. Tryphon escapeth, and other of the king's forces invade and spoil Jewry.
16. 16Simon sendeth two of his sons to fight against Cendebæus, 8. whom they overthrow. 11. Ptolemee Simon's son in law, inviting him to a feast treacherously killeth him, and his sons Judas and Mathathias: 19. sendeth also men to kill John, but he being warned of the treason, killeth them: 23. and succeedeth to his father in the government.