After playing two sides against each other, Jonathan finally supported Alexander, the man who also had a claim to the Seleucid throne. Jonathan’s gamble paid off. As long as Alexander remains king, Judea should be Jonathan’s domain where they can not only have religious freedom to worship Yahweh but also a significant amount of political freedom. And this is the case for three to four years.
We learn, however, from other historical sources that Alexander was an inept political ruler. So the son of the former, deposed king, Demetrius (also named Demetrius), now about 13, makes a bid for the throne in 147 BC. Demetrius hires mercenaries to help him claim the throne.
Demetrius, Son of Demetrius
Read 1 Maccabees 10:67-73
– How does the rivalry for the throne affect Jonathan and Judea?
– Why would Demetrius want to destroy Jonathan’s military might before he engaged Alexander?
– What would Apollonius’ reference that Jonathan’s army would not have even a stone or pebble for cover bring to mind?
Read 1 Maccabees 10:74-76
– How does Jonathan respond and what takes place?
Read 1 Maccabees 10:77-89
– What was Apollonius’s strategy when he attacked? Should it have been successful?
– What ends up happening?
See map for battle locations
Dagon: Dagon was the chief god of the Canaanites, whom they also saw as the father of Baal. The Canaanites used a figure that had a head of a man but the body of a fish to represent him. The name Dagon is derived from a word meaning “little fish.” See 1 Samuel 5:1-5 to see more about how the Canaanite god Dagon became involved in the life of the Israelites.
Alexander’s Father-in-Law, Ptolemy VI
Read 1 Maccabees 11:1-7
– What do we see taking place with Ptolemy in how he views Jonathan and even his son-in-law?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:8-13
– What does Ptolemy do behind Alexander’s back (and while Alexander is away)?
Demetrius Becomes King
Read 1 Maccabees 11:14-19
– What happens to Alexander?
– What happens to Ptolemy?
– Who is now king of the Seleucid Empire?
– What can this mean for Jonathan?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:20-22
– How does Jonathan take advantage of the power struggle in Syria while Demetrius is still consolidating power?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:23-37
– What, in effect, takes place when Jonathan approaches Demetrius in such a way?
– What does Demetrius do?
– How does Demetrius respond?
– Discuss why Demetrius’ response was what it was.
Read 1 Maccabees 11:38-40
– What does Demetrius do with the local soldiers?
– How is this received?
– What seeds of dissension are being sown in the son of the previous king, Alexander?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:41-43
– What do we learn about Jonathan’s attempt to control the Jerusalem citadel?
– What does Demetrius agree to do if his conditions are met?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:44-51
– What does Jonathan prevent?
– How does Jonathan achieve victory for Demetrius?
– How do you think this will affect relations between Judea and the Seleucid Empire as long as King Demetrius rules?
Read 1 Maccabees 11:52-53
– What does Demetrius do when his throne is secure?
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