Support of the aspirant, Antiochus VI, includes soldiers that had been discharged by Demetrius. After routing Demetrius, Antiochus makes Jonathan one of the king's Friends and the courtesies accompanying. He further appointed Jonathan's brother Simon a governorship.
The army of Syria gathered to Jonathan as allies. OTOH, when the people of Gaza resisted, he besieged the city, burned its suburbs and plundered them. The people of Gaza then agreed to make peace. He accepted the offer but also took the sons of their rulers as hostages sending them to Jerusalem.
Another battle does not go well. Almost all of his army deserts. Only two remain. Jonathan prayed. Turning back to the battle, he routs the enemy. When his fleeing soldiers see this, they return and join in the pursuit. As many as 3,000 foreigners fell that day, and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.
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