Last week, we learned that Trypho, a general trying to seize the Seleucid throne, had slaughtered 1,000 of Jonathan’s men and Jonathan also. However, 1 Maccabees left the specifics of Jonathan’s death unstated. It’s now in Chapter 13 where the rewind button is pressed to tell us the specifics surrounding Jonathan’s death.
Trypho’s Double Dealings and Failed Attack against Judea
Read 1 Maccabees 13:1-6
– Who now picks up the pieces in Jonathan’s absence?
– Why would Simon have to go up to Jerusalem?
– What does Simon think had happened to his brother, Jonathan? (vs. 5)
– What does Simon do to encourage the people?
Read 1 Maccabees 13:7-11
– How do the people respond?
Read 1 Maccabees 13:12-16
Remember that Ptolemais is north of Judea on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Simon travels from there to attack Judea.
– Whom does Trypho use as a bargaining chip?
– Do you think Simon should trust Trypho?
Read 1 Maccabees 17-24
– Does Trypho keep his word?
– Although this wasn’t specifically mentioned, we know earlier that Jonathan had control of the Jerusalem citadel. What is the case now? (vs. 21)
– What unusual weather kept Trypho from bringing relief to his forces in the Jerusalem citadel?
– Because of weather and Simon’s troops, what happens to Trypho’s attack?
Jonathan is Buried
Read 1 Maccabees 13:25-30
We don’t know Baskama’s location. Simon buries Jonathan where his father and other brothers are buried and set up a monument for them, which was still there when 1st Maccabees was written.
– Discuss the pyramids and suits of armor at Simon’s burial site.
Judea Finally Becomes Independent
Read 1 Maccabees 13:31-34
– Whom does Trypho kill? What does this mean?
– Although concise in words, how does Trypho rule and what is the effect on the Seleucid Empire? (vs. 32)
– Who else is contending for the throne?
Read 1 Maccabees 13:35-42
– Simon sides with Demetrius. How does Demetrius respond?
– What finally happens after many years of war?
– What roles does Simon have in Judea (Israel)?
Read 1 Maccabees 13:43-48
Gazara was 18 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was a haven for Jews who wanted full Hellenization and did not support Maccabean rule.
– When Simon breaks the siege, what do the people say to receive leniency? (Note: See Psalm 103:10-14)
– What happens to the population of Gazara?
Read 1 Maccabees 13:49-52
– Throughout the book of 1st Maccabees, who controlled the citadel in Jerusalem?
– At the end of the day, how did Simon take control of the citadel?
– How did the people celebrate when Simon finally had full control of the citadel?
1 Maccabees 13:51: In this section of Maccabees, we see the Jewish people celebrating with palm branches and music because a great enemy of Israel had been removed and crushed. The people responded to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem the same way they organized to welcome triumphant kings and generals returning to Jerusalem (see also 2 Kings 9:13). In the same way the people saw Simon as the liberator of Israel, they also viewed Jesus as a nationalistic, political liberator. The people wanted Jesus to be a political messiah and free them from the yoke of Rome in the same way the Maccabees freed Israel from the yoke of the Seleucid Empire. The palm branches, singing, and the cultural history of Israel show this to be the case.
Demetrius in Prison
Read 1 Maccabees 14:1-3
– What happens to Demetrius?
– How could this affect Judea?
Read 1 Maccabees 14:4-15
– Based on this section of 1st Maccabees, what did Demetrius’ being imprisoned not do to Judea?
– Why do you think this was the case?
– According to this section, what kind of ruler was Simon?
– Discuss how 1st Maccabees described Simon may have shaped future messianic expectations.
Click here to go to lesson 14, the last lesson on 1st Maccabees.
