46. When Jonathan and the people heard these words, they neither believed nor accepted them, for they remembered the great evil that Demetrius had done in Israel, and the great tribulation he had brought upon them.
47. They therefore decided in favor of Alexander, for he had been the first to address them peaceably, and they remained his allies for the rest of his life.
48. Then King Alexander gathered together a large army and encamped opposite Demetrius.
49. The two kings joined battle, and when the army of Demetrius fled, Alexander pursued him, and overpowered his soldiers.
50. He pressed the battle hard until sunset, and Demetrius fell that day.
51. Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy, king of Egypt, with this message:
52. “Now that I have returned to my realm, taken my seat on the throne of my ancestors, and established my rule by crushing Demetrius and gaining control of my country—
53. for I engaged him in battle, he and his army were crushed by us, and we assumed his royal throne—
54. let us now establish friendship with each other. Give me now your daughter for my wife; and as your son-in-law, I will give to you and to her gifts worthy of you.”