II. DEMETRIUS SOTER, King of Syria, reigned twelve years, from the year of the world 3842 to 3854, before Jesus Christ 146, before the Vulgar Æra 150. He was the son of Seleucus IV. surnamed Philopater; but did not immediately succeed him, because he was an hostage at Rome, when his father died, and his uncle Antiochus Antiochus Epiphanes, who in the interim arrived in Syria, procured himself to be acknowledged King, and reigned eleven years, and after him his son Antiochus Eupator, two. At length Demetrius Soter was seated in his father’s throne, in the year 3842, as we before observed. He is often mentioned in the Books of the Maccabees.
Alcimus, who had intruded into the office of High-priest of the Jews, with some other malecontents of the same nation, so exasperated Demetrius against Judas Maccabæus, that this prince sent Bacchides with an army against him. But Judas 1 Macc. vii. and 2 Macc. xiv.Maccabæus defended himself with so much bravery, that Bacchides could get no advantage over him. The year following, the King sent Nicanor into Judæa; but Nicanor was intirely defeated, and lost his life in the action. At last Bacchides coming 1 Macc. xv. and 2 Macc. vii. 1 Macc. ix. 2—20. World 3843. before J. C. 157. before the Vulgar Æra 161. 1 Macc. ix. 28.a second time into Judæa, bore down Judas with the number of his troops, and overwhelmed all the Jews, who had continued faithful to the Lord, with great calamities. Jonathan succeeded Judas in the government of his people. Demetrius endeavoured to surprize and kill him; but Jonathan kept his ground during the whole time of Demetrius’s reign, and governed for a long time after him.
Alexander Balas, who called himself the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, having got himself to be acknowledged king of Syria In the year of the World 3851. before J. C. 149. before the Vulgar Æra 153. 1 Macc. x. 1, 2.by the garrison of Ptolemaïs, Demetrius put himself at the head of his army, and marched against him. He wrote to Jonathan Maccabæus, and desired troops of him against Balas. But Jonathan prefer’d the offers and conditions which Alexander Balas proposed to him, and embraced his party against Demetrius; who wrote a second time to him on the same subject, but Jonathan would not rely upon his promises. At length Demetrius giving battle, he was killed fighting valiantly in the year of the world 3854, before Jesus Christ 146, before the Vulgar Æra 150. He 1 Macc. x. 49, 50. Joseph. l. 13. Antiq. l. 5. Justin. l. 35.was succeeded by Demetrius Nicanor, of whom we shall now proceed to speak.