9 Take command of our army, and we will obey your orders.”
10 Simon called the troops together, and they worked quickly to finish the walls and towers that protected Jerusalem on every side.
11 Simon ordered Jonathan the son of Absalom to take a large force of soldiers to the town of Joppa. Jonathan forced the people to leave, and he took over Joppa.
12 Trypho was still holding Simon's brother Jonathan as a hostage, and he brought Jonathan along when he led his large army out of Ptolemais to invade Judea.
13-14 Someone told Trypho, “Simon is now leader of the Jews, and he's ready to attack.” Then Trypho sent a message to Simon, whose camp was at Adida overlooking the valleys. The message said:
15 Your brother Jonathan was a royal official, but he owed money to the king, and so I arrested him.
16 I'll set him free as soon as you send me 100,000 pieces of silver and two of his sons as hostages. That way he won't rebel against me anymore.