Bacchides Negotiates with Jonathan.

Then all the renegades gathered together in council. "Now is the time," they said, "with Jonathan and his people living in peace and security, for us to bring back Bacchides, and he will capture all of them in a single night." Therefore, they went and consulted with him. Bacchides set out with a large force, simultaneously sending letters secretly to all his allies in Judea that instructed them to seize Jonathan and his men. However, they were unable to do so because their plot became known, and Jonathan and his men arrested about fifty of the ringleaders in this treacherous plan and put them to death.

       Then Jonathan withdrew with Simon and his companions to Bethbasi in the desert. He rebuilt the fortifications that had been demolished and strengthened them. When Bacchides learned of this, he assembled his entire army and sent instructions to his supporters in Judea. Then he came and encamped opposite Bethbasi, and after constructing engines of war, he fought against it for many days.

       Leaving his brother Simon in the city, Jonathan went out into the country area accompanied by only a few men. He struck down Odomera and his kindred and the people of Phasiron in their encampment, all of whom had been preparing to set out to join in the battle. Meanwhile, Simon and his forces made a sortie from the town and set fire to the engines of war. Moving against Bacchides, they exerted such pressure that they inflicted a severe defeat upon him. Inasmuch as his plans for a military assault had been frustrated, Bacchides vented his anger on the renegades who had advised him to undertake this invasion. He slew many of them and then decided to return to his own land.

       When Jonathan learned of this, he sent envoys to negotiate terms of peace with him and obtain the release of the captives. Bacchides agreed to Jonathan's proposals and swore that he would never again try to cause him harm for the rest of his life. He handed over the prisoners he had previously taken captive from the land of Judah. Then he returned to his own land and never again came into their territory.

       Thus the sword ceased from Israel. Jonathan settled in Michmash, from where he began to serve as judge for the people and to exile the renegades from Israel.

1ST MACCABEES: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 58 - 73