1 John then went up from Gezer and reported to his father Simon what Cendebaeus was busy doing.
2 At this, Simon summoned his two elder sons, Judas and John, and said to them, 'My brothers and I, and my father's House, have fought the enemies of Israel from our youth until today, and many a time we have been successful in rescuing Israel.
3 But now I am an old man, while you, by the mercy of Heaven, are the right age; take the place of my brother and myself, go out and fight for our nation, and may Heaven's aid be with you.'
4 He then selected twenty thousand of the country's fighting men and cavalry, and these marched against Cendebaeus, spending the night at Modein.
5 Making an early start, they marched into the plain, to find a large army opposing them, both infantry and cavalry; there was, however, a stream-bed in between.
6 John drew up facing them, he and his army and, seeing that the men were afraid to cross the stream-bed, crossed over first himself. When his men saw this, they too crossed after him.
7 He divided his army into two, with the cavalry in the centre and the infantry on either flank, as the opposing cavalry was very numerous.
8 The trumpets rang out; Cendebaeus and his army were put to flight, many of them falling mortally wounded and the rest of them fleeing to the fortress.
9 Then it was that Judas, John's brother, was wounded, but John pursued them until Cendebaeus reached Kedron, which he had rebuilt.
10 Their flight took them as far as the towers in the countryside of Azotus, and John burnt these down. The enemy losses amounted to ten thousand men; John returned safely to Judaea.
11 Ptolemy son of Abubos had been appointed general in command of the Plain of Jericho; he owned a great deal of silver and gold,
12 and was the high priest's son-in-law.
13 His ambition was fired; he hoped to make himself master of the whole country and therefore treacherously began to plot the destruction of Simon and his sons.
14 Simon, who was inspecting the towns up and down the country and attending to their administration, had come down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas, in the year 172, in the eleventh month, the month of Shebat.
15 The son of Abubos lured them into a small fortress called Dok, which he had built, where he offered them a great banquet, having previously hidden men in the place.
16 When Simon and his sons were drunk, Ptolemy and his men reached for their weapons, rushed on Simon in the banqueting hall and killed him with his two sons and some of his servants.
17 He thus committed a great act of treachery and rendered evil for good.
18 Ptolemy wrote a report of the affair and sent it to the king, in the expectation of being sent reinforcements and of having the cities and the province made over to him.
19 He also sent people to Gezer to murder John, and sent written orders to the military commanders to come to him so that he could give them silver, gold and presents;
20 and he also sent others to seize control of Jerusalem and the Temple mount.
21 But someone had been too quick for him and had already informed John in Gezer that his father and brothers had perished, adding, 'He is sending someone to kill you too!'
22 Overcome as John was by the news, he arrested the men who had come to kill him and put them to death, being forewarned of their murderous design.
23 The rest of John's acts, the battles he fought and the exploits he performed, the city walls he built, and all his other achievements,
24 from the day he succeeded his father as high priest, are recorded in the annals of his pontificate.
Versículos relacionados com 1 Maccabees, 16:
1 Maccabees 16 narrates Simon's death, the last of the Maccabean brothers, and the transition from power to his son John Hircano. The chapter also highlights Simon's military successes, his temple reconstruction and the peace he brought to Judea. Here are five verses related to the topics addressed in 1 Maccabees 16:
Psalm 68:20 - "Blessed be the Lord! Day by day he takes our burden, the God who is our salvation." This psalm speaks of God's help in carrying burde and saving us. It can be applied to Simon, who helped carry the burden of the Jewish people and save them from enemies.
1 Chronicles 29:28 - "He died in good old age, full of days, riches and honor, and Solomon, his son, reigned in his place." This verse describes the end of David, who died in peace and was succeeded by his son Solomon. This can be compared to the death of Simon, who died in peace and was succeeded by his son John Hircano.
Isaiah 32:18 - "My people will dwell in a place of peace, in safe addresses, on tranquil rest." This verse speaks of the peace that God promises to his people. This can be related to the Government of Simon, which brought peace to Judea.
2 Chronicles 2:4 - "Now, he orders me to cut me ceders of Lebanon; my servants will be with your servants, and I will give you the salary you designate for your servants." This verse is an offer of help from Solomon to Hiram, king of Tire. This can be compared to the help Simon received from his allies, like the Romans, to help rebuild the temple.
Proverbs 3:3-4-"Never let mercy and faithfulness abandon you; attack them around your neck, write them on the board of your heart. And you will find favor and good understanding before God and men." This verse speaks of the importance of mercy and faithfulness. This can be applied to Simon, who showed mercy and fidelity to his people by fighting for his freedom and rebuilding the temple.
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