Hearing that King Demetrius was returning with an even larger force, Jonathan led his army to meet them in Hamath (Syria?). He sent spies into the camp who reported back that Demetrius' army was going to attack that night. Jonathan's army stayed up all night ready for battle. When the enemy heard that Jonathan's army was prepared to attack them, they fled, leaving fires kindled in the camp so as to make it look like they were still there.
Simon traveled to Joppa, taking it over because he had heard rumors was to be a stronghold protecting Demetrius' army.
Returning to Jerusalem, Jonathan convened with the elders on ways to protect themselves from Demetrius. They increased the height of the walls around Jerusalem, erected a high barrier between the citadel and the city, repaired broken walls. Simon fortified an outpost in the foothills.
The Greek general Typho wanted to become king. Thinking that Jonathan might oppose this effort, he looked for ways to kill him. Jonathan amassed a large army in defense. Typho pretended to be his friend. Jonathan fell for the ruse, sent much of his army home, then was captured.
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