41. Jonathan sent a message to King Demetrius asking him to remove his troops from the fort in Jerusalem and from the fortresses in Judea, since they kept harassing the Jews.
42. Demetrius replied: “I will do what you request, and when the opportunity presents itself, I will bestow upon you and your nation the highest honours.
43. But now you can help me by sending soldiers to fight for me, because all my troops have revolted.”
44. So Jonathan sent 3,000 trained soldiers to Antioch. The king was delighted when they arrived,
45. because a mob of 120,000 had gathered in the city determined to kill him.
46. But he escaped to the palace while the mob took control of the streets and began to riot.
47. Then the king called on the Jewish soldiers for help, and they all rushed to his aid. They went through the whole city and killed at least 100,000 people.
48. They saved the king's life, but they plundered and burnt the city.
49. When the people saw that the Jews had complete control of the city, they lost courage and appealed to the king, requesting
50. him to arrange a truce and stop the Jewish attack.
51. The rebels threw down their arms and surrendered. The king and everyone in his kingdom now had great respect for the Jews, who returned to Jerusalem with a great deal of loot.
52. Demetrius was firmly established as king, and the country was at peace under his rule,