m, and bid them ask what favors they pleased of
him; whereupon the high priest desired that they might enjoy the laws
of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year.
He granted all they desired. And when they entreated him that he would
permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he
willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired. And when he said
to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his
army, on this condition, that they should continue under the laws of
their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take
them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars.

6. So when Alexander had thus settled matters at Jerusalem, he led his
army into the neighboring cities; and when all the inhabitants to whom
he came received him with great kindness, the Samaritans, who had then
Shechem for their metropolis, [a city situate at Mount Gerizzim, and
inhabited by apostates of the Jewish nation,] seeing that Alexander had
so greatly honored the Jews, determined to profess themselves Jews; for
such is the disposition of the Samaritans, as we have already elsewhere
declared, that when the Jews are in adversity, they deny that they are
of kin to them, and then they confess the truth; but when they perceive
that some good fortune hath befallen them, they immediately pretend to
have communion with them, saying that they belong to them, and derive
their genealogy from the posterity of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
Accordingly, they made their address to the king with splendor,
and showed great alacrity in meeting him at a little distance from
Jerusalem. And when Alexander had commended them, the Shechemites
approached to him, taking with them the troops that Sanballat had sent
him, and they desired that he would come to their city, and do honor to
their temple also; to whom he promised, that when he returned he would
come to them. And when they petitioned that he would remit the tribute
of the seventh year to them, because they did but sow thereon, he asked
who they were that made such a petition; and when they said that they
were Hebrews, but had the name of Sidonians, living at Shechem, he asked
them again whether they were Jews; and when they said they were not
Jews, "It was to the Jews," said he, "that I granted that privilege;
however, when I return, and am thoroughly informed by you of this
matter, I will do what I shall think proper."