The account of Aristobulus’ attack on his brother Hyrcanus, after Alexandra’s death.
1 When Aristobulus departed from Jerusalem in the days of Alexandra, he left his wife and children in Jerusalem.
2 But when the news of his departure reached Alexandra, she confined them in a certain house, setting a guard over them.
3 But when Alexandra was dead, Hyrcanus called them to him, and behaved kindly to them, and took care of them; that they might deliver him from his brother, if haply he should conquer him.
4 Then Aristobulus led out a great army as far as to Jordan; and Hyrcanus went out against him with an army of Pharisees.
5 And when the two armies had encountered, great numbers of Hyrcanus’ army were slain; and Hyrcanus, and the remainder of his army, took to flight.
6 Whom Aristobulus and his troops pursuing, slew every one whom they caught, excepting those who surrendered themselves.
7 Then Hyrcanus retreated into the Holy City; whither also arrived Aristobulus and his army; and he surrounded it on every side with his tents, and attempted by stratagem to destroy the fortification.
8 And the elders of Judah, and the elders of the priests, went out to him, and forbade his doing what he had designed; requesting him to dismiss from his mind whatever hostile feeling he had towards his brother: to which proposal he assented.
9 Then it was agreed between them that Aristobulus should be king over Judah, and Hyrcanus should be high priest” in the house of God, and next to the king dignity.
10 And Aristobulus assented to these terms, and entered the city, and had an interview with his brother in the house of God; and they took an oath together to ratify those terms which the elders had mutually agreed on.
11 So Aristobulus was made king, and Hyrcanus was ranked next unto him.
12 And men were at peace, and the affairs of these two brothers were rightly ordered, and the state of their people and of their country became one of tranquillity.