25. So he set out from Jerusalem and met them in the territory of Hamath, giving them no opportunity to enter his province.
26. The spies he had sent into their camp came back and reported to him that the enemy were preparing to attack them that night.
27. Therefore, when the sun set, Jonathan ordered his men to keep watch, with their weapons at the ready for battle, throughout the night; and he set outposts around the camp.
28. When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, their hearts sank with fear and dread. They lighted fires in their camp and then withdrew.
29. But because Jonathan and his men were watching the campfires burning, they did not know until the morning what had happened.
30. Then Jonathan pursued them, but he could not overtake them, for they had crossed the river Eleutherus.
31. So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabians who are called Zabadeans, and he struck them down and plundered them.
32. Then he broke camp, marched on toward Damascus and traveled through the whole region.
33. Simon also set out and traveled as far as Askalon and its neighboring strongholds. He then turned to Joppa and took it by surprise,
34. for he heard that its people intended to hand over the stronghold to the supporters of Demetrius. He left a garrison there to guard it.
35. When Jonathan returned, he assembled the elders of the people, and with them he made plans for building strongholds in Judea,