Chapter 9 _{27 So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them.28 For this cause all Judas' friends came together, and said unto Jonathan,29 Since thy brother Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides, and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us.30 Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles.31 Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Judas.32 But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him33 Then Jonathan, and Simon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Thecoe, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar.34 Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath day.35 Now Jonathan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabathites, that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much.36 But the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it.37 After this came word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan.38 Therefore they remembered John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain:39 Where they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and, behold, there was much ado and great carriage: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums, and instruments of musick, and many weapons.40 Then Jonathan and they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, as many fell down dead, and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.41 Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.42 So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Jordan.43 Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the sabbath day unto the banks of Jordan with a great power.44 Then Jonathan said to his company, Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us to day, as in time past:45 For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Jordan on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood, neither is there place for us to turn aside.}