62 the people of Gaza begged him not to destroy their town. He agreed, but he sent the sons of Gaza's rulers as hostages to Jerusalem. After this, Jonathan led his army as far as Damascus.
63 Someone told Jonathan:King Demetrius the Second has sent a large force under the command of royal officers to the town of Kadesh in Galilee. The officers have orders to make you give up your position as high priest.
64 Simon stayed behind in Judea while his brother Jonathan set out to attack the army of Demetrius.
65 Simon attacked the town of Beth-Zur and kept it surrounded for a long time
66 before it surrendered to him. He took command of Beth-Zur and told its people to leave. Then he stationed his own troops there.
67 Meanwhile, Jonathan and his soldiers had set up camp near Lake Galilee. And early one morning, he led them to Hazor Valley.
68 Demetrius' army of foreign troops was waiting for them in the valleys. Some of them attacked immediately, while others waited behind some hills, ready to make a surprise attack.