1 Maccabees 16:11-17

Common English Bible

Murder of Simon and his sons

¹¹ Now Ptolemy, Abubus’ son, had been appointed governor over Jericho. He had a large amount of silver and gold ¹² because he was the high priest’s son-in-law. ¹³ He became arrogant and was determined to gain control of the country. He made devious plans against Simon and his sons to do away with them.

¹⁴ Now Simon was out visiting the towns in the countryside and attending to their needs. He went down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas. It was the eleventh month, the month of Shevat,^[a] in the year 177. ¹⁵ Abubus’ son welcomed them deceitfully in the little fortress called Dok, which he had built. He threw a great banquet for them, but he hid men in the hall. ¹⁶ When Simon and his sons became drunk, Ptolemy and his men took their weapons. They rushed forward against Simon, and killed him and his two sons in the banquet hall, as well as some of his servants. ¹⁷ So he committed an act of great treachery, returning evil for good.