o Beth-dagon, their
idol's temple, to save themselves.

And Jonathan burned Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took
their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, and them that fled into it, he
burned with fire. And they that had fallen by the sword, with them
that were burned, were about eight thousand men. And from thence
Jonathan marched, and encamped against Ascalon, and they of the city
came forth to meet him with great pomp. And Jonathan, with them that
were on his side, returned unto Jerusalem, having many spoils.

And it came to pass, when King Alexander heard these things, he
honored Jonathan; and he sent unto him a buckle of gold, as the custom
is to give to such as are of the kindred of the kings: and he gave him
Ekron and all the coasts thereof for a possession.

{457}{458}

[Illustration]
JAFFA, THE ANCIENT JOPPA.

Joppa has a long and famous history of battle and siege. Many times
it has changed hands and has known many masters. Its Jewish
inhabitants were massacred early in the Maccabean struggle. It was
attacked at night by Judas Maccabeus, who burned the boats in the
harbor. It was captured by Jonathan and again by Simon. It was
several times captured in the Roman wars--by Gallus, when 8,400 Jews
were killed; by Vespasian, in 68 A.D., when 4,200 people perished.
It was the seat of conflict during the Crusades, and was taken by
Napoleon.
[End illustration]

{459}

XX.

_How Jonathan and Two Valiant Captains Stood Against a Host_.

And Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Kedesh, which
is in Galilee, with a great host, purposing to remove him from his
office; and he went to meet them, but Simon his brother he left in the
country.

And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days,
and shut it up: and they desired to have peace, which he granted them,
and he put them out from thence, and took possession of the city, and
set a garrison over it.

And Jonathan and his army encamped at the water of Gennesaret, and
early in the morning they went to the plain of Hazor. And, behold, an
army of strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for
him in the mountains, but themselves met him face to face. But they
that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle; and
all they that were of Jonathan's side fled: not one of them was left,
except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi,
captains of the f