46 When Jonathan and the people heard these words, they didn’t believe or accept them. They remembered vividly the great wrongs Demetrius had done in Israel and how much he had oppressed them.
47 They preferred Alexander because he had been the first to speak peaceful words to them. So they remained his allies all of his days.
48 Now King Alexander assembled large forces and camped opposite Demetrius.
49 The two kings met in battle, and the army of Demetrius fled. Alexander pursued him and outmaneuvered them.
50 He pressed the battle hard until sunset, and on that day Demetrius died.
51 Then Alexander sent ambassadors to Egypt’s King Ptolemy, and they delivered the following message:
52 I have returned to my kingdom and taken my seat on the throne of my ancestors. I have established my rule by crushing Demetrius to gain control of our country.