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  • don@saintesecritures.org


Chapter 6 38 As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side at the two parts of the host giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks.39 Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire.40 So part of the king's army being spread upon the high mountains, and part on the valleys below, they marched on safely and in order.41 Wherefore all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the harness, were moved: for the army was very great and mighty.42 Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king's army six hundred men.43 Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him,44 Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name:45 Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides.46 Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him: whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.47 Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.48 Then the king's army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king pitched his tents against Judea, and against mount Sion.49 But with them that were in Bethsura he made peace: for they came out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest to the land.50 So the king took Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it.51 As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days: and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.52 Whereupon they also made engines against their engines, and held them battle a long season.53 Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, and they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the store;)54 There were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place.55 At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king,56 Was returned out of Persia and Media, and the king's host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of the affairs.