2 On the way to Gilgal in Judea, Bacchides and Alcimus captured the town of Mesaloth in Arbela, and they killed many of the people.
3 They reached Jerusalem early in the year 152 of the Syrian Kingdom and set up camp outside the city.
4 Then they stationed 20,000 soldiers and 2,000 cavalry in the town of Berea.
5 Three thousand of the Jews' best soldiers were camped at Elasa under the command of Judas.
6 But when they saw the size of the enemy army, they were terrified and ran. Only about 800 soldiers stayed in camp.
7 When the fighting was about to start, Judas suddenly realized that most of his troops had deserted, and he was terribly discouraged because there was no time to bring them back.
8 Judas felt like giving up, but he said to his remaining troops, “Get ready to attack! We've got a good chance to win.”