Editing Hasmonean dynasty (section)

====Challenge by Apollonius====
In 147 BCE, [[Demetrius II Nicator]], a son of Demetrius I Soter, claimed Balas' throne. The governor of [[Coele-Syria]], Apollonius Taos, used the opportunity to challenge Jonathan to battle, saying that the Jews might for once leave the [[mountain]]s and venture out into the [[plain]].<ref>Gottheil, Richard. Krauss, Samuel. {{cite web|title=Jonathan Apphus|url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8773-jonathan-maccabeus|access-date=2017-03-03}} ''Jewish Encyclopedia''.</ref> Jonathan and Simeon led a force of 10,000 men against Apollonius' forces in [[Jaffa]], which was unprepared for the rapid attack and opened the gates in surrender to the Jewish forces. Apollonius received reinforcements from [[Ashdod (ancient city)|Azotus]] and appeared in the plain in charge of 3,000 men including superior cavalry forces. Jonathan assaulted, captured and burned Azotus along with the resident temple of [[Dagon]] and the surrounding villages.

Alexander Balas honoured the victorious High Priest by giving him the city of [[Ekron]] along with its outlying territory. The people of Azotus complained to King Ptolemy VI, who had come to make war upon his son-in-law, but Jonathan met Ptolemy at Jaffa in peace and accompanied him as far as the River Eleutherus. Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem, maintaining peace with the King of Egypt despite their support for different contenders for the Seleucid throne.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Maccabees|10:67–89|NRSV}}, 10:1&ndash;7; Josephus, ''l.c.'' xiii. 4, §§ 3&ndash;5</ref>