13 each man left his post and returned to his own country.
14 But some of the Jews who had abandoned the Law of Moses and its commands were still left in Bethzur, which served as their last place of refuge.
15 King Alexander learnt of the promises Demetrius had made to Jonathan and he also learnt about Jonathan himself, about the battles he had fought, his courageous deeds, and the troubles he and his brothers had endured.
16 He was certain that he would never find another man like Jonathan and so decided to make him his friend and ally.
17 He wrote Jonathan a letter:
18 “King Alexander to his friend Jonathan, greetings.
19 I have heard that you are a brave man who has earned the right to be a friend of the king.