In chapter 5, we see Judas weaken the Gentile forces surrounding him while strengthening and consolidating his Jewish population base. But he still doesn’t have full control around Jerusalem. We see that in today’s lesson.
The Death of Antiochus Epiphanes: 1 Maccabees 6:1-17
Read 1 Maccabees 6:1-4
– From what Antiochus tried to do, what do we learn of his character and the way in which he governed?
Read 1 Maccabees 6:5-7
– What news does Antiochus now get?
Read 1 Maccabees 6:8-13
– How does Antiochus react to a double dose of bad news?
– How is Antiochus’ assessment of himself shattered?
Read 1 Maccabees 6:14-17
– What happens to Antiochus?
Note: 2 Maccabees 9:7 also mentions that Antiochus suffered from an accident when he fell out of his chariot. This, no doubt, also contributed to Antiochus’ complications and death. Today, many historians believe that Antiochus died before the rededication of the Temple, not after. However, the writer of 1st Maccabees writes the history as he came to learn in from the sources he had.
– Who now becomes king?
– Yet, what is set up between Philip and Lysias that may cause future trouble?
NT-Tie In: In Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the father welcomed back his rebellious son into the family. When He did that, the father had the son dressed in his best robe and put a ring on his finger (Luke 15:22). The hearers of the parable knew that a robe and ring were symbols of honor and authority from the Old Testament books they read: Genesis 41:42, Esther 3:10, and in 1 Maccabees 6:15. This showed that the Father welcomed his son back as a true son of the household.
Another Siege of the Citadel: 1 Maccabees 6:18-31
Although Judas had weakened the Seleucid presence in Israel, they still had control of the citadel (or garrison) in Jerusalem. And so although the Seleucids could no longer hold and maintain ground, they were able to keep the citadel and use that as a base of operation for harassing the Israelites.
Read 1 Maccabees 6:18-27
– How does Judas respond to this continuing harassment from the citadel?
– What did some of the pro-Seleucid do in response?
Read 1 Maccabees 6:28-31
– Although our text says the “king was angry,” at this point who is running the kingdom and armies?
– What does the Seleucid army (with mercenaries) again do (1 Macc 4:29)?
– What’s different this time?
The Battle at Beth-Zechariah: 1 Maccabees 6:32-47
Read 1 Maccabees 6:32-39
– What do Judas’ and the King Antiochus Eupator’s forces do at the beginning of this section?
– Besides a numerical advantage, what particular advantage do the Seleucids have?
– Discuss how this changed how the battle was fought, especially on the plains of Idumea.
Read 1 Maccabees 6:40-41
– What heroic actions by an individual made a surgical strike into the heart of the enemy?
– Yet, who survives and who dies?
– What action do we see Judas’ army take? Why?
The Siege of Jerusalem: 1 Maccabees 6:48-54
– What territory does the king now control?
– Why couldn’t the Israelites withstand a siege?
– What is the state of the Israelite troops?
The Assault on Jerusalem Ends: 1 Maccabees 6:55-63
– Who is Philip and what is he trying to do?
– Lysias hears what Philip is trying to do. What rationalization does he use to make a peace agreement with Israel?
– Why could Lysias’ rationalization have some believability?
– Reading between the lines, what was the real reason Lysias sued for peace?
– What happened when young King Antiochus V saw how Jerusalem had been fortified?
– Yet, what is Lysias’ true priority? Does he achieve it?
