73 What makes you think you can win a battle in the valley against my army and cavalry? There are no rocks or stones to crawl behind, and there is no place where you can run away.
74 Jonathan was furious when he read this letter. He chose 10,000 soldiers, then left Jerusalem to meet his brother Simon, who was coming to help him.
75 The two brothers surrounded the town of Joppa, because Apollonius had soldiers there. No one would let them in at first.
76 But they attacked and frightened the people into opening the gates; then they took command of the town.
77 When Apollonius found out that they had taken Joppa, he brought 3,000 cavalry and a large force of soldiers to the town of Azotus. He wanted the Jews to think he was only passing through the town. So he led his troops out to the nearby valley, where he was sure his cavalry could protect the soldiers.
78 Jonathan followed Apollonius to Azotus, and a battle broke out
79 when 1,000 of Apollonius' cavalry suddenly left their hiding places and attacked from behind.