A Synopsis of 1 Maccabees
Chapter 1. Alexander the Great of Greece had died and his kingdom had been
split among his generals. In an effort to “Helllenize” the people, i.e. indoctrinate
them in the Greek culture, the rulers tried to force their religion on the conquered
peoples.
Chapter 2. Some of the Jews resisted the Hellenization and tried to keep their
religious practices. Mattathias started a rebellion and fled to the desert with some
of his followers to begin the struggle.
Chapter 3. After the death of Mattathias, his son, Judas, took over and led his
army in many victorious battles.
Chapter 4. The temple was reclaimed and purified, and the victory was
commemorated with the establishing of the feast of Hanukkah.
Chapter 5. The Gentiles united to overthrow Judas and his army and were
repeatedly defeated. Victories continued for those who put their faith in God.
Chapter 6. Judas prepared to attack the citadel (stronghold) near the temple but
was unable to win. Because of problems at home the enemy king was forced to
sue for peace with Judas and return home to protect his kingdom.
Chapter 7. The office of high priest became a political tool. Nicanor was sent by
the king to defeat Judas, but he was killed and his army was destroyed.
Chapter 8. Judas became aware of the growing strength of Rome and turned to
them to generate a mutual defense pact.
Chapter 9. Demetrius, the enemy king, next sent Baccides to war against Judas.
Judas was killed and his army was defeated.
Chapter 10. Jonathan was selected to replace his brother Judas as the leader of
the army. Jonathan played both Alexander and Demetrius against each other,
who were fighting for control, and used their mutual hatred to gain a victory for
the Jews.
Chapter 11. Demetrius next turned to Ptolemy of Egypt for support against
Alexander. Both Ptolemy and Alexander died, and Demetrius ruled. Jonathan
made a pact with Demetrius and gained peace for the land. Trypho, a follower
of Alexander, emerged to threaten Demetrius and Jonathan decided to support
Trypho.
Revision Date: 2/26/08
1
1 Maccabees Synopsis
Chapter 12. Jonathan turned to Rome for support as his brother Judas once did.
Jonathan built up the Judean defenses. His trust in Trypho allowed him to be
drawn into a trap where he was captured.
Chapter 13. Simon, a third brother, picked up control of the army and prepared
to battle Trypho, who then killed Jonathan. Simon now turned to Demetrius and
finally defeated the troops in the citadel near the temple and reclaimed the
property.
Chapter 14. Demetrius turned to Persia for support, but was instead captured.
Simon strengthened his control over the land and his ties to Rome and Sparta.
Simon was proclaimed as the spiritual and political leader of Judea.
Chapter 15. Simon renewed his ties with Rome and with Demetriusʼ son,
Antiochus. Antiochus attacked and routed Trypho and then turned on Simon.
Chapter 16. Simon turned over the military control to his sons, John Hyrcanus
and Judas. Simonʼs son-in-law, Ptolemy, invited Simon and two of his sons to
dinner. There they were ambushed and killed. John Hyrcanus, however, escaped
and lived to become a political and religious leader.
Revision Date: 2/26/08
2
1 Maccabees Synopsis
The Historical Bible
1 Maccabees
______________________________________________________________________________
Session 1
Pre reading: 1 Maccabees 1 - 5
Questions:
1.1
When Alexander the Great died his kingdom was divided by his generals. Antiochus
Epiphenes ruled over the Jews from his throne in Antioch, Syria, some hundred years later. How
was his rule received by the Jews? How did they act?
1.2
Read Gen 17: 9-14 and describe the implications of hiding the circumcision.
1.3
After Antiochus, king of Syria, defeated the Egyptian king, Ptolemy, and hence ruled
both Syria and Egypt what did he do with Israel, the land in the middle of his new kingdom?
1.4
When Antiochus ordered the unification of his kingdom, what did he have in mind?
2.1
Which family defied the king’s command?
2.2
How did Mattathias show his rebellion? (See also Num: 25: 1-9)
2.3
Many followers of Mattathias were killed on the Sabbath by the king’s army. How did
this change the Jews way of thinking about the Sabbath?
2.4
On his deathbed Mattathias exhorted the people to trust in God and continue the fight as
their ancestors had done. Who were to be their new leaders?
3.1
What were the first 2 battles of Judas Maccabeus? How did he get the name Maccabeus?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
1
1 Maccabees
3.2
What was Antiochus’ reaction?
3.3
What were the opinions of the various outsiders as to the outcome of the pending battle?
3.4
Verse 49 mentions the Nazirites. Who were they? Mention some other Nazirites.
4.1
How did Judas Maccabeus fare in his battles?
4.2
What did the Jews do during this respite while Lysias was gone?
5.1
Who were the new enemies that the Jews faced?
5.2
What happened when Judas came to the city of Ephron?
5.3
How did the rest of the military leaders fare in their attempts to become military heroes?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
2
1 Maccabees
Session 2
Pre reading: 1 Maccabees 6 - 10
6.1
What was King Antiochus’ response when he heard of his army’s failure against Judas
Maccabeus? To what did he attribute his failure?
6.2
What was King Antiochus’ plan for his throne?
6.3
What was Lysias’ response?
6.4
Despite Judas’ apparent victories, he actually controlled little of the land. In an effort to
capture the garrison at the citadel, which housed the enemy troops, Judas began a siege. The
young king, Antiochus V Eupator, raised an enormous army and marched on Judas. What was the
outcome of the battle? Why did the Jews have a problem? (See Ex 23: 10-11)
6.5
How did Jerusalem, the city containing Mt Zion, come to be destroyed?
7.1
Who won the struggle for the control of Israel?
7.2
King Demetrius chose Bacchides as governor and Alcimus as high priest for the
Israelites. Were they acceptable to the people?
7.3
Nicanor was sent by Demetrius to gain control of Jerusalem. How did he fare with Judas?
8.1
What was the reputation of the Roman army? of the Roman rulers?
8.2
What was Helenization and how did Judas decide to resist it?
9.1
When Demetrius learned that Nicanor had died, what was his response?
9.2
When Bacchides (governor) and Alcimus (high priest) regained control after the death of
Judas, how did they rule?
9.3
Who rose up to replace Judas?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
3
1 Maccabees
9.4
Bacchides, who had slain Judas, now turned his attention and army towards Jonathan.
How did Bacchides fare against Jonathan in the rest of chapter 9?
Discussion topic: Alexander the Great was the master of the world around 330 BCE. When he
died, his kingdom was split into two parts, Syria to the north, and Egypt to the south. Demetrius
was a descendent of the northern kings, and dwelt in Syria. By the time of the Maccabees, Rome
had become a super power, but let the various countries alone as long as they didn’t pose a threat
or problem for Rome.... at least for a time. Those that were conquered could remain with their
own form of government, as long as they paid their taxes and bowed to Rome. Alexander (Balas)
was descended from the southern kingdom and had the support of Rome to claim the throne in
Syria, the northern kingdom. Israel was caught between the two rivals and Jonathan Maccabeus
took the opportunity to pit the two against each other and gain an advantage for Israel.
10.1
Who approached Jonathan first to become an ally, Demetrius from the north, or
Alexander from the south? What was offered?
10.2
What did Alexander do in response to Demetrius’ offer?
10.3
What was Demetrius’ counter offer and Jonathan’s response?
10.4
How did Alexander solidify his relationship with Egypt?
10.5
Alexander then invited Jonathan to be his ally along with Ptolemy VI. What was the
warning to the Hellenistic Jews?
10.6
How did Demetrius II fare against Jonathan and the unpopular Alexander?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
4
1 Maccabees
Session 3
Pre reading: 1 Maccabees 11 - 16
11.1
Ptolemy, king of Egypt decided to form an alliance with Demetrius II to dethrone
Alexander. What was Ptolemy’s gift to Demetrius?
11.2
How did Demetrius II end up being the king over Syria and Egypt?
11.3
Jonathan was determined to remove the Hellenists from the citadel in Jerusalem so he
laid siege to it. Upon hearing of the siege, Demetrius ordered Jonathan to stop. What was
Jonathan’s response?
11.4
Trypho wanted to install Alexander’s son Antiochus VI, as king in place of Demetrius.
Who came to Demetrius’ aid? What happened to the young boy, Antiochus?
11.5
Demetrius II brought his army against Jonathan in Galilee to prevent them from
supporting Antiochus. What was the result?
12.1
With which two foreign powers did Jonathan try to develop improved relations?
12.2
Jonathan built the walls in Jerusalem and intimidated the army of Demetrius II to leave
without attacking. Jonathan appeared to be invincible. Trypho, however, plotted to remove
Antiochus and Jonathan and claim the throne for himself. How did Trypho deal with Jonathan?
13.1
Who is the third Maccabees ruler to take control?
13.2
Who did Trypho hold captive and how was he used to gain advantage over Simon?
13.3
What was the citadel? What kept Trypho from attacking in support of the citadel?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
5
1 Maccabees
13.4
How did Trypho deal with Jonathan after he failed in his attempt to free the people in the
citadel?
13.5
How did Simon secure his hold on the throne?
14.1
When Demetrius marched into Media to obtain support against Trypho, what did
Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media do in response?
14.2
Why was the poem starting in verse 4 composed?
14.3
What alliances were reaffirmed, and what was Simon’s reward?
15.1
Who now arose to claim Demetrius’ throne?
15.2
What is Antiochus’ response when Simon sent him the troops to help in his attack on
Trypho? Why?
15.3
Did Simon give in to Antiochus’ demands?
16.1
Simon turned over control of the army to his sons, John and Judas. How did they fare
against the army of Antiochus?
16.2
Who rose up to usurp the throne? How?
Discussion: The book ends abruptly although John Hyrcanus continues to strengthen the Jewish
nation. Can you list any lessons in all this?
Revision Date: 3/31/08
6
1 Maccabees