It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Trying to benefit from someone else's problem, a reflection on 1 Maccabees 11:38-53

King Demetrius didn't have peace for very long. Insurrection among his troops aided the attempt to replace him with Antiochus, the young son of Alexander. Adding to the bad situation was that Jonathan was not satisfied with the agreement that Demetrius had offered Judea. Jonathan wanted the troops out of the citadel and strongholds because they were not peaceful. Bargaining with Jonathan, Demetrius asked for and got troops to aid his defense. When the king was attacked, the Jews did rally to his defense, accomplishing a major victory.

Although he was very grateful for a while, Demetrius eventually turned against Jonathan and the promises he had made to him.


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