1 Now the children of Israel, that dwelt in Judah, heard all that Holofer´nes the chief captain of Nebuchadnez´zar king of the Assyrians had done to the nations, and after what manner he had spoiled all their temples, and brought them to nought.
2 Therefore they were exceedingly afraid of him, and were troubled for Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God:
3 for they were newly returned from the captivity, and all the people of Judah were lately gathered together: and the vessels, and the altar, and the house, were sanctified after the profanation.
4 Therefore they sent into all the coasts of Samaria, and the villages, and to Beth–ho´ron, and Belmen, and Jericho, and to Choba, and Esor´a, and to the valley of Salem:
5 and possessed themselves beforehand of all the tops of the high mountains, and fortified the villages that were in them, and laid up victuals for the provision of war: for their fields were of late reaped.
6 Also Joi´akim the high priest, which was in those days in Jerusalem, wrote to them that dwelt in Bethu´lia, and Betomes´tham, which is over against Esdra-e´lon toward the open country, near to Dothan,
7 charging them to keep the passages of the hill country: for by them there was an entrance into Judah, and it was easy to stop them that would come up, because the passage was strait, for two men at the most.