The Israelites Plan To Defend Themselves

1The Israelites living in Judea heard that General Holofernes of the Assyrian army had destroyed the places of worship in the surrounding nations and that he had stolen everything of value. 2They were terrified because he was coming to do the same thing to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord their God. 3The people had just returned from Babylonia, where they had lived as captives. And they had only recently rededicated the temple, the altar, and the sacred utensils, after they had been made unfit for worshiping the Lord.

4So the Israelites warned the people living in the territory of Samaria, including the towns of Kona, Beth-Horon, Belmain, Jericho, Choba, and Aesora, and those living in the valley near Salem. 5Since their fields had already been harvested, they immediately began preparing for war by setting up defenses in the hill country, by fortifying the towns there, and by storing up food.

6Joakim the high priest was in Jerusalem at the time. He wrote to the people living in Bethulia and Betomesthaim, two towns that face Jezreel Valley not far from Dothan. 7Joakim wrote, "Set up defenses at once in the mountain passes that lead into Judea. They are wide enough for only two people to use at a time, so you'll easily stop enemy troops from invading."

8The Israelites obeyed Joakim and the other leaders of Israel who were meeting together in Jerusalem.

The Israelites Pray for Mercy

9All the men of Israel prayed sincerely and went without eating to show their sorrow. 10 Then everyone in the country wrapped sackcloth around their waists--men, women, and children, as well as foreigners and slaves and hired workers. They even put sackcloth on their livestock! 11Every man, woman, and child in Jerusalem went to the temple and bowed low to the ground. They put ashes on their heads and spread out sackcloth in front of the temple 12and covered the altar with it. Then the men prayed aloud to the Lord their God, asking him not to let their wives and children be captured and taken away or to let their towns be destroyed. They begged him not to give foreigners the pleasure of taking over the temple and polluting the place of worship. 13 The Lord heard their prayers and saw how much they were suffering.

For several days, the people of Judea and Jerusalem stayed there at the temple of the Lord All-Powerful and went without eating. 14 Joakim the high priest and the priests who served in the temple wore sackcloth as they offered the daily sacrifices to please the Lord, as well as the sacrifices offered to keep a promise and the offerings voluntarily given to him. 15They also sprinkled ashes on their turbans and prayed aloud, asking the Lord to have mercy on the entire nation of Israel.